NORTHERN Pride winger Drew Campbell loathes the idea of being a one-game wonder for his club this season and wants to prove he is worthy of a fulltime recall during today's away match against the Sunshine Coast.

Campbell was a regular starter for the Pride during last year’s Queensland Cup before undergoing a knee reconstruction after injuring himself against the Central Comets last July.

Hours of rehabilitation, a gritting of teeth and game time for Ivanhoes in the Cairns District Rugby League has seen the 23-year old return to the Pride backline for the first time in nearly a year.

He replaces fellow outside back Hezron Murgha, one of four changes Pride coach Andrew Dunemann made after last week’s 42-12 thrashing at the hands of Easts Tigers.

Campbell, who underwent a knee reconstruction on his right knee earlier in his career, wants his reinstatement to become permanent.

"That spot is up for grabs and hopefully I can play well and make it my own," he said.

"It (the knee) is feeling all right. I came back a lot earlier than expected from it and it felt a little bit wonky at the start. "I’ve done both knees now so I can’t favour one or the other but the more I’ve played on it the more it’s starting to get stronger."

Campbell will play on the left wing today, renewing an on-field partnership with centre Rod Jensen that started at the North Queensland Cowboys when he was a teenager.

"It was a while ago but it was good playing with Roddy back then," he said.

"Coming from the same high school he was really supportive of me and all the young players at the club and hopefully we can strike up something on the field."

The Pride’s preparation for the Sea Eagles encounter has not been smooth with halfback and captain Chris Sheppard in doubt after tweaking his hamstring at training this week.

Sheppard will be given until warm-up to prove his fitness with Quincy To’oto’o-ulugia ready to step in if required.

Second-rower Nick Slyney has also failed to recover from a knee injury and will be replaced in the starting line-up by Rod Griffin.

The match will be televised on ABC TV at 2pm.

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