But now, ahead of Burton's second appearance in the NRL, his fellow St John's junior Yeo is far from alone.

Burton is all but certain to be wearing the number seven jersey when the Panthers return to the field on Sunday in what is the side's first match since the coronavirus-enforced suspension of play.

It comes following the two-game suspension for NSW halfback Nathan Cleary after he broke isolation laws.

Burton hasn't played in the top grade since August of last year, when he starred on debut in place of the suspended James Maloney in a win over Cronulla.

"In terms of opportunities it's giving Matty Burton a great one," Yeo said on Monday.

"I thought he was outstanding in his debut last year, he's had a really strong pre-season and strong trials as well so it's a great opportunity for him.

"Obviously missing Nath for a couple of weeks he's got a couple of games to get under his belt and he's got the full support of his team.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing how he goes and after that we'll be back with Nathan and can go from there."

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Yeo knew of Burton's potential prior to the teenager's NRL debut last year.

The promising half had followed Yeo's path from St John's, to Dubbo CYMS, and the to the foot of the mountains and had earned many admirers along the way.

Burton had slotted straight into the under 20s and lower grades with the Panthers and had also produced a superb man of the match showing for NSW in the under 20s State of Origin win over Queensland early last year.

But he still didn't hold much of a profile with the Panthers' NRL side.

"When he first came in he'd come through the 20s and unless you'd been watching that ... I don't think Jimmy Maloney knew him, to be fair," Yeo laughed.

"That [presence] helps grow the confidence. He's had a pre-season under his belt and he's trained with both the first and second side and he knows what's expected of him, so he's been really good.

"He's taken it on in leaps and bounds and he's been growing and maturing and as he does that he'll only get better.

"He's an exciting talent and I think he'll do a wonderful job for us in these first two rounds."

The Panthers take on the Newcastle Knights on Sunday, a side which has also been forced in a lineup reshuffle.

Kalyn Ponga is suspended for the match but the club has been boosted by the signing of former Broncos hooker, Andrew McCullough.

McCullough will play a big part in directing around a powerful Knights pack which Yeo and his fellow Panthers forwards have to contend with.

The 25-year-old Yeo is eager for the challenge after missing even more football than most in recent times.

After such a consistent start to his NRL career Yeo missed the second half of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

He worked his way back to fitness and started in the first two rounds of the season, which Penrith won't won, before the season was shut down.

It's been a frustrating time for all NRL players but Yeo said he was lucky to have another of the Dubbo juniors at Penrith to work alongside during the past two months.

"I was lucky enough to have my roommate, Kaide Ellis, so we helped each other a fair bit in that break in terms of motivation and made sure we were keeping up to date with our fitness so it was actually good," Yei said.

"It was a bit of a novelty at first and a bit of uncharted territory but totally different for everyone involved.

"By the end I was looking forward to being back with the group and sick of training with just him and me so it's good to be back with the boys and I'm sure every player is the same."

The Panthers take on the Knights from 4.05pm on Sunday.