The Warriors have lacked attacking spark in his absence, only scoring five tries across those three matches.
Regular changes to the spine haven't helped, but the Auckland team have desperately missed Johnson's X-factor.
The 27-year-old can turn a match in an instance with a moment of magic, and has unparalleled ability to create space for his teammates, especially as the opposition tend to focus so much attention on the No7.
Johnson will became the 12th Warrior to record 150 games.
He made his debut in 2011 against the Roosters, and brought up his 100th NRL match against the same opposition three years ago.
Johnson's return results in Peta Hiku shifting back to the centres, while there are two changes among the forwards.
After starting against the Rabbitohs, Simon Mannering goes back to the bench while 19-year-old Isaiah Papali'i has been named to start in the second row.
Utility Jazz Tevaga (shoulder) is out for three weeks, which means Karl Lawton remains in the interchange mix.
The four players on the extended bench are Gerard Beale, Mason Lino, Sam Lisone and Ligi Sao.
The Warriors are fourth on the NRL ladder on 18 points, two behind Penrith and St George Illawarra.
With an 8-4 win-loss record, it's the first time since 2011 that the Warriors have begun the second half of a season with more wins than losses (and only the second time since 2002).
While the Warriors are coming off a bye, the Sea Eagles will arrive in the South Island desperate for a win, after consecutive losses to the Cowboys and Raiders.
Manly have endured a mostly disappointing season thus far, though they were impressive in wins over the Broncos and Storm last month.
Warriors | 150 Appearances
288 Simon Mannering (2005-2018)
261 Stacey Jones (1995-2005 & 2009)
226 Manu Vatuvei (2004-2017)
212 Ben Matulino (2008-2017)
195 Logan Swann (1997-2003 & 2007-2008)
188 Jacob Lillyman (2009-2017)
185 Lance Hohaia (2002-2011)
173 Sam Rapira (2006-2015)
170 Awen Guttenbeil (1996-2006)
159 Wairangi Koopu (1999 & 2001-2008)
150 Micheal Luck (2006-2012)
Warriors v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
5.00pm, Saturday, June 9, 2018
AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Warriors
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
2 David Fusitu'a
3 Peta Hiku
4 Solomone Kata
5 Ken Maumalo
6 Blake Green
7 Shaun Johnson
8 James Gavet
9 Issac Luke
10 Agnatius Paasi
11 Isaiah Papali'i
12 Tohu Harris
13 Adam Blair
Interchange:
14 Karl Lawton
15 Chris Satae
16 Bunty Afoa
17 Simon Mannering
18 Gerard Beale
20 Mason Lino
21 Sam Lisone
23 Ligi Sao
Coach: Stephen Kearney
