Recovering fullback Billy Slater has reportedly been cleared to play for Queensland in next week’s State of Origin series opener in Sydney.
Maroons coach Mal Meninga had initially given Slater as late as Saturday to prove his fitness after nursing a shoulder complaint at their Gold Coast camp.
But Meninga has reportedly given the green light to Slater but is still sweating on star centres Justin Hodges (foot) and Greg Inglis (virus).
The pair are expected to miss a contact training session at 1700 on Friday as a precaution.
Slater will take part in the session as he ramps up his game one preparation despite managing a shoulder complaint that will require post-season surgery.
“Billy will play, definitely,” Meninga told News Corp.
“I’ve had a good chat with Billy and he will be all right.
“He will train with us tonight and we’ll manage his shoulder through the week.
“To be honest, Billy has to manage it, he requires surgery at the end of the year but he’s a tough competitor and he knows what to do.”
Inglis has been quarantined from the team as he recovers from what is believed to be tonsillitis while Hodges is nursing a “few stitches” after cutting his foot in an off-field but as yet unexplained incident.
Newcastle’s Dane Gagai has been called into the squad as back-up but in an encouraging sign for his star centres Meninga looks set to release him for the Knights’ NRL clash with the Broncos on Monday night.
The Maroons’ preparation has already been disrupted with the withdrawal of bench utility Daly Cherry-Evans, replaced by Michael Morgan.
Wolly
Roar Guru
This in a small way is a negative for Queenslanders because if they lose they will actually have to sit and think up excuses, rather than having one ready made.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Dugan had an error at crucial times in his game as well.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Errors, missed tackles in the middle, and penalties -- Klemmer and Fifita are both good for some of those.
Jay C
Roar Guru
QLD are going to have to try and run them ragged. There are a few errors in the NSW team. So I think the opportunities in attack will be there. It is just a matter of turning up in defence and doing a job.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Smoke and mirrors. The real question is, why are we hearing about it? Do we really think EVERYONE from NSW is 100 percent injury free? This is the NRL. Every single player on the field is carrying an injury.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Chambers is the form centre in the comp so not too sure what you are getting at there.
Bluebag
Guest
Didn't Qld say they weren't going to tolerate a disrupted preparation with injured players this year? They may well rue this backflip come Thursday morning...
Dav
Guest
yep and Trent didn't even get 5 in the bin for breaking Inglis's jaw .... lol talk about Ref bias
Griffo
Guest
Or like game 2 2009 when half the team were dead yet they still took the field and won. That was the game where Trent Barrett decapitated Greg Inglis and Queensland still won.
cedric
Guest
next thing will be is; Inglis will be in ICU with ebola!!!!!!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Disrupted sessions isn't a very good sign....reminds me of last year where they had to wait on Cherry Evans to come right and lost the shield. I think NSW odds just got way better for this game.
MJB
Guest
If Hodges and Inglis are out then Mal is going to have to reveal his Origin Centre Succession Plan sooner than usual... if Chambers and Gagai are the future then the Blues aren't looking so rocky all of a sudden.