Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will try to argue he attempted to tackle South Sydney's James Roberts - and even laid a hand on him - as his hopes of beating a tripping charge and playing in the NRL preliminary final go on the line at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.

Waerea-Hargreaves had a graze across the top of his nose but appeared in good spirits as he returned to Roosters training on Monday afternoon.

The front-rower was charged with tripping Roberts last Friday night and because of his poor disciplinary record was ineligible for a fine.

Waerea-Hargreaves fronted the judiciary last week and was found not guilty of a careless high tackle. He will be represented again by lawyer James McLeod on Tuesday night.