Door ajar for England skipper against Kangaroos

The door remains ajar for Sean O’Loughlin’s return despite the inspirational England captain being a glaring omission for the match that could knock Australia out of the Four Nations rugby league tournament.

For the second consecutive week, a recovering O’Loughlin (quad) was not included as coach Steve McNamara remained faithful to the 17 that held out Samoa 32-26 in last weekend’s Four Nations opener.

However, the English mentor conceded there could be “a change or two” ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash with their arch-rivals in Melbourne.

If England notches their first win over Australia since 1995, the Kangaroos will miss out on the Four Nations final for the first time.

“Even though we have named the same side, there could be a change or two at the back end of the week,” McNamara said at their Gold Coast training camp.

“Those that were unable to train are making decent progress.

“Sean O’Loughlin is definitely improving and we will continue to monitor him throughout this week.

“It is really difficult to name a team earlier in the week.

“Firmer decisions will be made towards the weekend, when we arrive in Melbourne.”

Bulldogs prop James Graham maintained the captaincy reins with the jury still out on O’Loughlin.

Joe Westerman impressed on debut at lock with O’Loughlin sidelined for last weekend’s win over Samoa in Brisbane.

But England centre Kallum Watkins admitted O’Loughlin’s presence would provide a spring in their step as they looked to shut out Australia.

O’Loughlin is the only member of the 24-man squad to have tasted success against Australia – with Great Britain at the 2004 and 2006 Tri Nations.

“His influence is massive. Physically he is a big lad too and leads from the front so we missed him that way,” Watkins said on Tuesday.

O’Loughlin was rated at “80-90 per cent” fitness and had begun training with the England squad in a sign he had finally overcome the quad strain picked up playing for Wigan in this month’s Super League grand final loss to St Helens.

Other injury concerns – rookie halfback Matty Smith (foot) and reserve hooker Daryl Clark (back) – were retained in the 17 after the gutsy win over Samoa.

“It was a hard-fought win for us against Samoa (But) there is room for improvement within our game,” McNamara said.

“We had to overcome a very talented and tenacious team with limited preparation in extreme heat.

“I was pleased with the way we dug in and found a way to win in extreme circumstances.

“We will have to show that same resolve this week.”