Tom Trbojevic is all but resigned to the fact he will miss the State of Origin series opener for NSW as he races the clock to recover from a hamstring injury.
Trbojevic hasn't played since he was injured in round four of the NRL and revealed on Monday he was still expected to miss another six weeks.
That would put the Manly flyer on track to return the round after Origin game one on June 5, meaning he'd have to come back two weeks early for Manly to prove his match fitness before the Blues squad is named.
While he hasn't given up on pushing for an earlier return, the 22-year-old Trbojevic conceded it was unlikely he would play against Queensland in the series opener.
"I think if you're back in eight weeks (from the injury) you're not playing obviously," Trbojevic said.
"You think about (Origin) but when it comes down to it you can't really.
"You've got to be back on the footy field playing good footy to get picked in those sides.
"At the moment, I have definitely come to terms with that.
"I've got to get my hammy right, I don't want to do it again.
"Get it right, play some good footy for Manly and go from there."
A star with his early-set carries for NSW last year on the wing, Trbojevic scored two tries in the series win.
Told by Blues coach Brad Fittler to get his fitness right before he even considers a return, Trbojevic is back running on a treadmill but is yet to begin field work.
His anticipated return date for round 13 against North Queensland will, however, give him two games to push his case for selection in Game II in Perth.
But Trbojevic is well aware he won't be allowed to rush back too early, given he suffered a non-related injury to the same hamstring in February.
"I've got to take that extra time," he said.
"The physios will talk to me about that and I'm really confident in the medical staff we have got here to get back fully fit.
"They won't be taking any shortcuts, they'll be doing everything they can to get it right."
Trbojevic's concession comes as his brother Jake said he didn't believe his younger sibling could be picked in Origin without a game under his belt for Manly.
"I think to get picked in Origin you have got to be out there playing," Jake said.
"If he was to get picked he would definitely do a good job and put his hand up."
AAP
