AFTER contemplating premature retirement this season, Rabbitohs cult figure Matt King will make a fairytale return to first grade this weekend.

Despite being named in NSW Cup, The Daily Telegraph can confirm King will suit up for his first NRL appearance in almost a year on the Gold Coast tomorrow night.



His long-awaited return comes amid a major reshuffle of South Sydney's backline, with coach Michael Maguire understood to be livid about Monday night's extra-time loss to St George Illawarra.



It's understood Nathan Merritt will move to fullback at the expense of Justin Hunt, opening the way for King to return to the three-quarter line.



It's not certain whether King will play centre or wing, given Dylan Farrell is also in the selection frame.

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It's a comeback the 33-year-old veteran would not have contemplated during the pre-season, when doctors gave him four weeks to decide his future.



After breaking his forearm in last year's finals to Melbourne, King's career went into a tailspin when he suffered a severe bone infection post surgery. A plate inserted into his arm is believed to have caused the infection, condemning him to a series of antibiotic courses.



But when there was no improvement by the trials in February, the former Test and NSW Origin star came face to face with the prospect of giving the game away despite having a full season to run on his contract.



In February, King rolled the dice on a final course of maximum strength antibiotics and was told he'd have no choice but to retire if they didn't cure the infection within a month. There was good and bad news.



The medication succeeded, enabling King to return via NSW Cup feeder side North Sydney Bears in March.



He played the entire match, but finished with a throbbing forearm.



A few days later, scans revealed it had been broken a second time.



Incredibly, King accepted the awful news in positive spirits, knowing that another game would be a bonus.



A 16-week recovery period was declared, but he beat the prognosis comfortably and returned three weeks ago for the Bears.



He has played another NSW Cup match since, before being placed on standby for the Rabbitohs as 18th man last Monday night.



Rabbitohs insiders have confirmed Maguire will elevate King to the starting side for the Titans clash at Skilled Park.



Having axed former co-captains Roy Asotasi and Mick Crocker because of poor form this season, Maguire could also make further changes after the competition front-runners failed to meet their high standards five nights ago. He did not return calls last night.



Despite completing his remarkable revival, King is still expected to announce his retirement in the coming weeks.