The 25-year-old was controversially dropped after the round one win over St George Illawarra in Las Vegas and replaced by Enari Tuala.
Consternation arose among pundits when Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo did not replace the injured Stephen Crichton with Xerri, who had been named on the bench, in the round five loss to South Sydney.
Ciraldo moved Matt Burton to centre for a second time mid-match and brought on Sean O'Sullivan, who he said was an excellent communicator, in the halves.
Xerri now gains another chance to showcase his wares against a red-hot Panthers outfit on Thursday night at Accor Stadium as the Bulldogs aim to reboot their spluttering start to the season.
Sydney Roosters two-time premiership winner Victor Radley is also back for his first NRL game of the season after he was given a club-imposed 10-match ban last year for allegedly attempting to purchase a dangerous drug with the assistance of former Roosters hooker Brandon Smith.
The Roosters included three Tests for England, two pre-season matches and last round's bye in the suspension of the man known as "Victor the Inflictor".
Radley will line up at lock in Saturday night's away clash with Cronulla in Perth. The Tricolours' bench has also been strengthened by the return of Spencer Leniu (hamstring) and Nat Butcher (concussion).
The Sharks have replaced injured centre Jesse Ramien with reliable Mawene Hiroti.
Smith will play his first NRL game of the season for South Sydney, also in Perth, when he returns from a hamstring injury against Canberra.
Brisbane have named captain Adam Reynolds at halfback for Friday night's home clash with North Queensland despite the veteran suffering an adductor injury that was expected to rule him out for one to two weeks.
Reynolds must pass further fitness tests to play and will be replaced by young gun Tom Duffy if he does not scrub up. Winger Jesse Arthars gets a shot at fullback in place of the injured Reece Walsh, who has a facial fracture.
St George Illawarra have included Kyle Flanagan at halfback for Friday night's home clash with Manly in Wollongong after the playmaker was concussed and taken to hospital just a fortnight ago.
Daniel Atkinson shifts from No.7 to his preferred five-eighth position while Tyrell Sloan moves from wing to fullback to replace the injured Clint Gutherson.
Centre Jack Howarth (hip) and winger Moses Leo (concussion) return for Melbourne against the Warriors at AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Chanel Harris-Tavita shifts to five-eighth for the Warriors due to the hamstring injury to Luke Metcalf.
Parramatta's injury-ravaged season grew worse with Bailey Simonsson (ankle), Sean Russell (concussion) and Jonah Pezet (hamstring) all ruled out of Sunday's home showdown with Gold Coast.
Araz Nanva will debut on the wing, five-eighth Ronald Volkman plays his first NRL game in more than a year and centre Will Penisini returns from a groin injury.
Wests Tigers lose suspended winger Luke Laulilii but gain a ready-made replacement in powerhouse Jeral Skelton for the Sunday night top four showdown with Newcastle at Campbelltown.
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