Maroons coach Kevin Walters expects Roosters prop Dylan Napa to overcome an ankle injury and lineup for Queensland in Sunday's must-win Origin game two.
“I expect him to play and get through today but if he’s not okay we have a ready replacement in (Melbourne forward) Tim Glasby,” Walters told AAP.
Originally given a Wednesday deadline, Napa will be reassessed after the Maroons fly out to Sydney, with Storm forward Tim Glasby waiting in the wings as his replacement.
After suffering a series of injuries in the lead up to game one, Walters was not keen to take any potential casualties into game two. But a promising training output from Napa at the team's Gold Coast camp swiftly changed the Maroons coach's mind.
“I didn’t expect him to be running too much on Wednesday but he trained fully with the team, did exactly what was required,” Walters said of Napa.
“Thursday was the same and he has pulled up good. There is every indication that he will play.”
Asked about potential lineup changes if Napa can't get up for Sundays game, Walters said: “I wouldn’t have thought so we will have a decision around all of that if he is not playing but I expect him to play.
“He has worked around the clock, it is a clear indication how dedicated he is, he wants to be part of this game.”
The Maroons leader admitted that if Napa takes the field he must temper his aggression.
“He brings first and foremost aggression. Dylan would be the first to admit that he didn’t quite get that right in game one,” Walters said.
“If we can get that right he will be a huge asset for the Maroons. That’s why we are giving him every opportunity to play.”