Eels bracing for Corey Norman verbal barrage in return

Parramatta's players are bracing themselves for a talkative Corey Norman on Sunday when the former Eel faces his old club for the first time.

Norman was released by the Eels last December after emerging as the major casualty from a disappointing season that finished with a wooden spoon.

The former Eel has kicked on in his new surroundings, booting the Dragons home on two occasions with match-winning field goals.

"I know Corey will come out firing and putting some words out on the field," Eels back-rower Marata Niukore told NRL.com.

"If we bring the right attitude right from kick-off hopefully he doesn't get to run his mouth as much.

"I've got him in front of me so think I will be copping it heaps from him."

Eels skipper Clint Gutherson revealed the banter between Norman and other former teammates had been simmering all week.

"I sent him a photo of an arm guard that I said I was going to 'shoot up from A' on him," Gutherson said.

"It's normally a big fella but [it means] you go up and whack him with a forearm. He hasn't replied."

Eels recruit Blake Ferguson has come up against former clubs throughout his Telstra Premiership career but didn't believe either party had a point to prove.

"There's no bad feelings here I don't think," Ferguson said.

"I was only here for a little bit before he left, obviously he's at a new team and we're focused on what we're doing here. He's having a big influence over there at the Dragons.

"Hopefully he doesn't play that well this weekend."

The rugby league partnership between Ferguson and Norman dates back to 2008 with the Australian Schoolboys.

"I was playing for CHS and he was playing for Queensland," Ferguson said.

"We were both playing fullback, he looks the same and hasn't changed the way he plays."

Norman played 107 NRL matches in his five seasons at Parramatta.

The Eels are set to play host to another bumper crowd at Bankwest Stadium. Tickets were selling fast on Friday with only 3000 remaining.