Manly recruit Matt Parcell says he is ready to become the Sea Eagles’ first choice dummy-half for Round One of the 2016 season with fellow newcomer Api Koroisau still struggling with a shoulder injury.

In further bad news for Koroisau, the former Rabbitoh and Panther is facing criminal charges for an incident in the off-season.

But Parcell, the former Ipswich Jet, believes he is ready to go after the exit of veteran Matt Ballin and injury to Jayden Hodges at the Auckland Nines.

“I’d love to start,” Parcell said.

“We’ll see how Api is going with his shoulder but if I get it I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands.

“I feel like I’m ready. Last year was really good and I got a lot of confidence out of that but I’m ready to make the step up and play NRL week in and week out.”