Ben Barba has been cleared to make his return to rugby league this weekend.

Nine months after he was axed by the North Queensland Cowboys and banned by the NRL, the fullback will take the field in the Kanaka Proud Cup – an event which honours the history of Queensland’s blackbirded community.

Stream the 2019 Oceania Cup Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

The former St Helens, Canterbury and Cronulla fullback is expected to line up for Mackay alongside brother, Marmin, who scored 10 tries in 19 Queensland Cup games for Ipswich.

The former Dally M Medallist, 29, was given the sack by the Cowboys after allegations of violence in a Townsville casino emerged on Australia Day.

Shark's Ben Barba during theHealy said: “The Kanaka Proud Cup is not an NRL sanctioned event, therefore Ben is free to play.

Ben Barba during his time with St Helens Source: Supplied

LATRELL A COWBOY? Mitchell sounds out North Queensland

COOPER A GIANT: Cronk joins AFL club’s coaching staff

PRINCE IS STAYING: Young gun Lewis signs new Bulldogs deal

“Ben is representing his grandmother’s family, it is an event based on our community and our shared history of being blackbirded South Sea islanders in the area.”

Blackbirding was a form of labour – which has been compared to slavery – which saw residents of Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, brought to Australia to work in plantations across Queensland.

Healy added that the event was also about raising awareness within communities about their shared history and