British Bulldog to add steel to Canterbury Ear he is: Bulldogs import James Graham (with ball) is ready to return. Photo: Peter Rae His teammates are calling him Luis Suarez and he was even introduced to NRL boss Dave Smith as "the bloke who apparently bit Billy Slater's ear." He'll go to the grave pleading his innocence and those close to James Graham will vouch for the 27-year-old Englishman, who on Friday night will play his first game since he was handed a 12-game ban for allegedly biting Slater's ear in last year's heated grand final. He won't speak about the ordeal that has tarnished the likeable prop's reputation, but his teammates haven't let him forget it either. Retired Canterbury back-rower Corey Payne, who forged a close relationship with the former St Helens enforcer last year, is living it up at his friend's expense. "I was at the Sydney Institute dinner on Tuesday and I bumped into the Premier of NSW," Payne said. He came out to our cocktail reception to make an announcement and James was there. I had to introduce the guests, so I did the honourable Mr Barry O'Farrell. Then I introduced the former English captain James Graham. I told everyone 'it's all good everyone he's had a few canapes already, so your ears will be safe tonight.' He cops it to a certain extent until he yells 'f - - - ing hell', and in his Scouse accent he'll give you a gobful. It's all a bit of fun and games but he gives back what he gets, don't worry about that. I have a good laugh about it because I don't believe he did it. It's not in his game, he's not a grubby player. If he did it he would've said so and he wouldn't have pleaded not guilty. It was just a clinch and he's adamant he didn't do it and I believe him. The Bulldogs have had a horror start to the season winning just two of their first seven games. Ben Barba's well-publicised problems, the injuries to several high-profile players, Graham's suspension and a never-ending list of rumours surrounding the club have all in some way prohibited the Bulldogs from rediscovering the form that took them to last year's decider. But with Barba on deck, Frank Pritchard back from injury and quite possibly even Sam Kasiano on Friday, the return of Graham couldn't have come at a better time for the blue and whites. "We've certainly lacked his heart," centre Josh Morris said. His work-rate on the field is second to none. He never gives up and is the first one to put his hand up for the tough run or the tough carry. He inspires the boys when he tries to get us on the front foot and we've definitely been lacking that without him. All the boys love having him in our team. He's a typical Pom who just loves going down to the pub for a beer. He's a great fellow to be around. The Bulldogs have missed Graham's ball-playing. He averaged 56 minutes a game off the bench in his debut NRL season last year and formed a handy combination with halves Kris Keating and Josh Reynolds and the outside backs. Tigers great Steve Roach said Graham's absence had been underestimated and his return would be a huge boost for the Bulldogs when they face the Tigers at ANZ Stadium. "I think he's a tremendous player and true ball player," Roach said. I think they've missed him enormously, the Bulldogs. He had a moment of madness but he's paid his dues. If you bite someone it's a low act, but he's done the time, so everyone should just get on with it now. He's going to have to win a lot of people over now, there's no doubt about that. Lock Greg Eastwood, who signed a three-year deal to stay with the Bulldogs on Wednesday, said Graham added a lot off the field as well as on it. "He brings all the laughter and joy to training because he knows how to make people smile," Eastwood said. He went away for a bit, I think to Canada with his partner, just to get away from Australia and footy at the end of the year. But when he came back he trained the house down. He's certainly fit enough and I think he just needed some time to clear his head of what happened last year. Full credit to him because he's come back and is fitter than last year.