The Central Coast pair have missed the Magpies' past four games because of the COVID lockdown but they have been cleared to return. With the help of people at the club, Pratt and Blunden have relocated temporarily to the Hunter and completed quarantine.

Maitland have won their four games without the duo, and their past five in total, to rise to second spot and push for a second premiership in three years.

The additions will boost their hopes given Pratt has scored four goals in nine games this year and Blunden was rated as their best recruit by coach Mick Bolch.

Maitland, though, have Mat Swan out suspended.

** Adamstown coach David Rosewarne said his side maintaining their high-energy approach was the key against Valentine on Wednesday night.

Rosebud travel to Cahill Oval for the 7.30pm NPL catch-up game knowing a result will go a long way to avoiding the wooden spoon. Adamstown are on nine points, five clear of last-placed Valentine, with three full rounds left.

"We just want to keep building on round two," Rosewarne said. "We've had a win, three draws and a loss, so one loss in five is not too bad compared to the first half of the year.

"They will be tough on the big pitch at Cahill and the boys they picked up recently have some toe up top.

"For us, it's just about still providing the energy that's frustrating teams and not allowing teams to settle."

** Young striker Riley Smith has been the headline act for Charlestown in the past two weeks, scoring hat-tricks, but he's had a handy supporting role from Dom Bizzarri.

The former Edgeworth defender, in his first season at Azzurri, has provided clever touches as a No.10 to put Smith into space during the wins over Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Olympic which have put Charlestown back in the finals race.

"Dom is loving the role I've given him now," Charlestown coach Graham Law said.

"He's never had that much freedom and I've been working with him on it, trying to get up higher supporting the strikers.

"It's given him belief, because he's a very good footballer. I'm trying to show him he can hurt teams higher up the park."