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NSW coach Brad Fittler will give injured halfback Nathan Cleary until Thursday to prove his fitness for the State of Origin decider.
Cleary is expected to be named in an extended squad on Monday night as he attempts to recover from an ankle injury suffered in game two.
His possible inclusion would be regarded as an Origin miracle after initial fears the Penrith star would be ruled out for up to six weeks.
However, scans revealed a high ankle sprain instead of a dreaded syndesmosis injury, giving him an outside chance of playing in game three.
Cleary is expected to try and put weight on his foot on Sunday with the aim to begin running with his Blues teammates on Tuesday.
“And that’ll be the big indicator,” Fittler said on the Nine Network on Sunday.
While Fittler has been reluctant to bring injured players into camp over his tenure, Cleary is set to be an exemption given his role within the team.
Former Blues No.7 Mitchell Pearce has put his hand up to make a dramatic return should Cleary be ruled out, however, Fittler hinted his call-up would be unlikely.
Utility Wade Graham will instead be expected to partner James Maloney in the halves after filling in for Cleary in the second half in Perth.
“The fact is (Cleary is) a link player. To bring in other link players makes a difference to the cohesion of your squad,” Fittler said.
“We really hope Nathan’s fit and healthy.
“Tyson Frizell didn’t run after game one, when he had the concussion, until about Friday.
“He was a very important part of our team last year.
“It’s all very individual on how long you give someone.
“Our first real running session will be Thursday, I’d say. (Nathan would have) at least have up until then.”
David Klemmer is poised to be recalled for the decider, possibly in place of Tariq Sims or NSW rookie and Knights teammate Daniel Saifiti.
If selected on Monday, Sims will need to contest a grade-two dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday to play.
Fittler suggested St George Illawarra may seek to downgrade the charge.
“If they can get it down to a grade one, then that would Tariq would end up with 75 points,” Fittler said.
Likely NSW team
1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Tom Trbojevic, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Boyd Cordner (capt), 12. Tyson Frizell, 13. Jake Trbojevic.
Bench: 14. Dale Finucane, 15. Daniel Saifiti, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Wade Graham.
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