SAINTS prop Luke Thompson has returned to the Great Britain 17 for Saturday's second test against New Zealand.

He has had to step up again after Warrington forward Joe Philbin was ruled out through injury.

Having lost Oliver Gildart and Ryan Hall, injuries to Zak Hardaker and Philbin left Wayne Bennett with just 20 fit players, including only one specialist three-quarter which means stand-off Blake Austin will have to play on the wing.

Bennett has been surprised by Thompson's recovery from a popped rib cartilage but says the 24-year-old is confident about being able to play some part in Saturday's game.

"I am a bit surprised but the cartilage is staying in now, it's not popping out any more," Bennett said.

"He's a bit discomforted by it but that's not an unusual thing, players do play with those injuries.

"He's comfortable enough to play, he'll come off the bench. There will certainly be plenty of impact when he comes on."

Great Britain: J Lomax (St Helens); J McGillvary (Huddersfield), J Hughes (Warrington), J Connor (Hull FC), B Austin (Warrington); G Widdop (St George Illawarra), J Hastings (Salford); C Hill (Warrington), J Hodgson (Canberra), T Burgess (South Sydney), J Bateman (Canberra), E Whitehead (Canberra), J Graham (St George Illawarra, capt).

Replacements (from): J Jones (Salford), D Clark (Warrington), A Walmsley (St Helens), L Thompson (St Helens), G Williams (Wigan), L Coote (St Helens).