Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Purdue's secondary will need all hands on deck for Saturday night's clash against Notre Dame, and the Boilers should get a big piece back on the field.

Senior cornerback Brandon King is expected to return after missing the last two games with a deep thigh bruise. King started every game in each of the last two seasons and ranked second on the squad with nine pass breakups last year to go along with an interception and a forced fumble.

He could be a big help as Purdue tries to contain Fighting Irish star wideout Golden Tate, who ranks 20th nationally in receiving yards (100.3 ypg).

"I do expect him playing Saturday," Boilers head coach Danny Hope said, "but we’ve still got to get through the week without him reinjuring it.”

Purdue's veteran secondary has been hamstrung by injuries a bit early on, but Hope expects the group to be much healthier for Notre Dame.

"One of the problems we’ve had on the defensive side of the ball is a lack of continuity," Hope said. "We’ve had injuries in the secondary, we’ve been shuffling people around. The secondary and the offensive line are the two areas where continuity means the most."

Notre Dame, by the way, expects quarterback Jimmy Clausen to be ready after an MRI showed the junior has turf toe.