Nathan Cleary will be given until the end of the week by NSW coach Brad Fittler to prove his fitness for the Blues' blockbuster Origin decider as the star half looks to make a stunning recovery.
Fittler has been in regular contact with the No.7, who is expected to put weight on his dodgy ankle for the first time on Sunday.
Unexpected comeback: The seriousness of Nathan Cleary's ankle injury has been downgraded.Credit:AAP
As Fittler confirmed Cleary would be included on an extended bench when the team is announced on Monday, Queensland ace Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of Newcastle's clash against Brisbane but declared he would be fit for the July 10 showdown.
Last Monday morning, as Cleary emerged from a Perth hotel on crutches, there were fears his injury could be season-ending. But should the 21-year-old be able to run onto ANZ Stadium, it will be nothing short of a miracle.
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Cleary's inclusion will come as a relief for Fittler, who knows a James Maloney and Wade Graham halves combination will work – just as it did in the second half of Origin II in Perth – but could come unstuck if chief organiser Maloney was to suffer an injury during the Origin decider.
As for Cleary, who continued his recovery at home on Saturday, Fittler told The Sun-Herald: "Everything is ahead of schedule. There was no need for an operation and the term has basically gone from syndesmosis to a really bad sprain.
"He's a couple of days ahead of schedule, he'll put weight on it Sunday and then Monday. We should have a better idea of where he is at by Monday morning.
"There's a good chance [he will make] an extended bench. Given they play the following Wednesday, he would want to be running by Thursday or Friday.
"I haven't spoken to the doc today [Saturday] or [strength and conditioning coach] Hayden [Knowles] because he's in Auckland [with Penrith].
"He'll [Cleary] have a week with the team. There's no set program for everyone. But he will want to be moving by the weekend."
Scratching: Kalyn Ponga watches the Knights warm up before their clash with Brisbane.Credit:AAP
Mitchell Pearce has been floated as a halves candidate for Maloney, given the pair won a premiership together in 2013 at the Sydney Roosters. However, it has been reported that some Blues staff have been disappointed with Pearce for already pulling out of games one and two because of injury.
Tariq Sims is facing two to three weeks on the sidelines if he is suspended for a high shot, which means there is a bench vacancy for the Blues.
Given Sims played 25 minutes in the middle at Optus Stadium, that position could fall the way of Daniel Saifiti, who will lose his starting spot to David Klemmer after the Newcastle giant returned on Saturday evening.
Ryan Matterson has also been 18th man the opening two Origin games and gives Fittler and his staff the added option of cover in the halves. Matterson is a big body, but also played halfback for Australian Schoolboys.
Damien Cook sent a scare through the Blues camp when he grabbed at his knee late in the game on Thursday night as Souths crashed to a fourth straight defeat. Cook told The Sun-Herald he had picked up a knock to the outside of his knee in OriginRead More – Source
Nathan Cleary will be given until the end of the week by NSW coach Brad Fittler to prove his fitness for the Blues' blockbuster Origin decider as the star half looks to make a stunning recovery.
Fittler has been in regular contact with the No.7, who is expected to put weight on his dodgy ankle for the first time on Sunday.
Unexpected comeback: The seriousness of Nathan Cleary's ankle injury has been downgraded.Credit:AAP
As Fittler confirmed Cleary would be included on an extended bench when the team is announced on Monday, Queensland ace Kalyn Ponga was ruled out of Newcastle's clash against Brisbane but declared he would be fit for the July 10 showdown.
Last Monday morning, as Cleary emerged from a Perth hotel on crutches, there were fears his injury could be season-ending. But should the 21-year-old be able to run onto ANZ Stadium, it will be nothing short of a miracle.
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Cleary's inclusion will come as a relief for Fittler, who knows a James Maloney and Wade Graham halves combination will work – just as it did in the second half of Origin II in Perth – but could come unstuck if chief organiser Maloney was to suffer an injury during the Origin decider.
As for Cleary, who continued his recovery at home on Saturday, Fittler told The Sun-Herald: "Everything is ahead of schedule. There was no need for an operation and the term has basically gone from syndesmosis to a really bad sprain.
"He's a couple of days ahead of schedule, he'll put weight on it Sunday and then Monday. We should have a better idea of where he is at by Monday morning.
"There's a good chance [he will make] an extended bench. Given they play the following Wednesday, he would want to be running by Thursday or Friday.
"I haven't spoken to the doc today [Saturday] or [strength and conditioning coach] Hayden [Knowles] because he's in Auckland [with Penrith].
"He'll [Cleary] have a week with the team. There's no set program for everyone. But he will want to be moving by the weekend."
Scratching: Kalyn Ponga watches the Knights warm up before their clash with Brisbane.Credit:AAP
Mitchell Pearce has been floated as a halves candidate for Maloney, given the pair won a premiership together in 2013 at the Sydney Roosters. However, it has been reported that some Blues staff have been disappointed with Pearce for already pulling out of games one and two because of injury.
Tariq Sims is facing two to three weeks on the sidelines if he is suspended for a high shot, which means there is a bench vacancy for the Blues.
Given Sims played 25 minutes in the middle at Optus Stadium, that position could fall the way of Daniel Saifiti, who will lose his starting spot to David Klemmer after the Newcastle giant returned on Saturday evening.
Ryan Matterson has also been 18th man the opening two Origin games and gives Fittler and his staff the added option of cover in the halves. Matterson is a big body, but also played halfback for Australian Schoolboys.
Damien Cook sent a scare through the Blues camp when he grabbed at his knee late in the game on Thursday night as Souths crashed to a fourth straight defeat. Cook told The Sun-Herald he had picked up a knock to the outside of his knee in OriginRead More – Source
