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Canberra players claim they have an extra spring in their step with Jarrod Croker back in their NRL side as they try to avoid a sixth straight loss.

Jarrod Croker's nine-month wait for his NRL return is over with Canberra's co-captain called in to help the club avoid their worst losing streak of Ricky Stuart's tenure.

Croker was on Tuesday recalled to Canberra's team to take on Canterbury on Friday, marking his first game back in the NRL since round 22 last year.

Since then the 291-game player has battled several injuries, undergoing stem cell injections in his knee in the off-season and a bulging disk in his spine.

The 31-year-old also had shoulder injuries last year, and has spent the majority of this season trying to fight his way back into the NRL while playing reserve grade.

But that wait was ended on Tuesday, with centre Semi Valemei ruled out for up to two weeks with his own knee problem.

"The boys were pumped to have him back," Jordan Rapana said.

"We know what he has done for this club. The amount of games he is on, he's not far from 300.

"To have his old head or old legs back in the team is awesome."

Croker is one of several changes to the Raiders side, as they attempt to avoid losing six straight for the first time since the end of 2013.

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is back at fullback after also spending time in reserve grade, with Xavier Savage dropped and Rapana moving back to the wing.

Matt Frawley has been called upon to replace the suspended Jack Wighton at five-eighth, with winger Nick Cortic stating his disbelief that Wighton copped a two-week ban for his dangerous throw.

Adam Elliott will stay starting at hooker to keep Tom Starling fresh off the bench to come on at dummy-half later in the game.

Croker's co-captain Elliott Whitehead is also back, after recovering from a serious facial injury suffered at training a fortnight ago.

The Englishman still has braces in his mouth as part of his recovery, but is certain there will be no concerns lingering in the back of his mind come Friday.

"I went out there with mouthguard in (at training) and I didn't think about it," Whitehead said.

"I'll probably get a few knocks on it but the adrenaline of the game will get me through."