LUKE Thompson is gearing up for his NRL debut with Canterbury Bulldogs.

The 25-year-old prop, who left his hometown St Helens club last month, has completed his fortnight's quarantine – in line with coronavirus protocol after landing in Australia – and is now available for selection.

Head coach Dean Pay could throw the former Bold Miners junior into his struggling side on Sunday when bottom-of-the-table Bulldogs face South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Or, having not played a match since Saints lost at Castleford Tigers on March 15 prior to Super League's suspension, he could be given extra time to catch-up on match fitness and come into contention for the following week's clash with Brisbane Broncos.

But selection against the ninth-placed Rabbitohs on Sunday would bring a tasty battle against his England and Great Britain teammate Tom Burgess, who reckons 'Tommo' will 'kill it' in the NRL.

"He's a great player and a great athlete as well," said Burgess, who roomed with Thompson during last year's Lions tour of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea and admitted they spoke about the Saints man heading out to Australia to ply his trade.

"I know him well, having played with him internationally and I roomed with him last year.

"He's got a great work ethic and I think that's something that's going to go well for him over here.

"I think the game's going to really suit his style of play and I'm looking forward to seeing how goes. I think he's going to kill it.

"He's got a great workrate, he's going to bring that into the middle area, he's a very hard runner and he's got good line speed in defence too.

"He's an all-round player and we saw that in England.

"We had chats last year about potentially coming out to the NRL and he was all for it.

"I said to him I'd back him and I think he'll do great. It's good to see that he's come out here now."

Thompson, who scored 67 tries in his 157 games for St Helens between 2013 and 2020.