Penrith Panthers and Manly Sea Eagles will be praying their State of Origin stars are able to back-up when they go head-to-head on Sunday.

Penrith Panthers are set to welcome back Nathan Cleary for Friday evening's showdown with the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Nathan Leonard might be a construction project supervisor by day but hailing from a family steeped in harness racing history it comes as no surprise he has been lured to the sport.