Michael Oldfield proving to be an NRL team's dream for the Canberra Raiders

They just hope Michael Oldfield knows how valuable he is as he prepares to answer another SOS for a Canberra Raiders outfit mounting a charge towards the top two.

Oldfield has been recalled to the Canberra Raiders' starting side for a clash with the Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

The unheralded 28-year-old will slot into the centres to fill the void left by Nick Cotric after he was hit with a three-game suspension for a dangerous tackle.

Cotric's ban robs the Raiders of a State of Origin-calibre player, but the hefty blow is lightened by the return of the ultimate clubman.

Oldfield has proven to be a lethal weapon for the Raiders having scored 10 tries in 14 appearances since joining the club midway through 2017.

Records like that make players like Oldfield any NRL team's dream.

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"It's amazing. I hope he realises how important he is to our squad," Croker said.

"He's a part of our leadership group. He's just that sort of bloke, he does everything he can for everyone off the field, and he is one of the most reliable players I have played with.

"Having Oldy there, it's pretty amazing to have someone like him to slot straight into that centre spot. I think he has played a couple of games there, scored a couple of tries.

"He had Waqa Blake and Latrell Mitchell [earlier this season] and he handled them really well. We've got no problems with Oldy going there."

Oldfield has been forced to bide his time in Canberra with the likes of Croker, Cotric, Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua forming the core of the club's outside backs.

But never does he drop his head, frustrated by a lack of opportunity. Never does he walk around Raiders headquarters kicking stones.

That's why he is in Canberra's leadership group. That's why he was named the Green Machine's clubman of the year last season.

"As we all do, I'm sure he would love a starting spot and I'm sure he would love to be in our starting 17 every week. It's just the way it goes, especially when you've got a good team playing some really good footy," Hodgson said.

"His attitude is second to none, he has always got a smile on his face every day, whether he is playing or whether he isn't, his attitude towards training is always fantastic.

"He is one you feel for but he is always team first, so it's a massive bonus for us.

"I really feel for him sometimes because we've got kids who are playing really will in the centres or on the wings so it's been really tough for him to get a gig.

"You know what you're going to get from him, he turns up every week and never lets you down."

NRL ROUND 18

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Corey Horsburgh, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Emre Guler, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Jack Murchie, 21. JJ Collins.

Tigers squad: 1. Corey Thompson, 2. Paul Momirovski, 3. Moses Mbye, 4. Esan Marsters, 5. David Nofoaluma, 6. Benji Marshall, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Alex Twal, 11. Ryan Matterson, 12. Chris Lawrence, 13. Matt Eisenhuth. Interchange: 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Elijah Taylor, 17. Michael Chee-Kam, 18. Tommy Talau, 19. Chris McQueen, 20. Luke Garner, 21. Oliver Clark.