Injured fullback Billy Slater says he's desperately hoping to be part of Petero Civoniceva's State of Origin farewell at next month's series decider at Lang Park.
Slater with a knee injury and Corey Parker (lacerated leg) are Queensland's biggest injury concerns following last night's 16-12 loss to New South Wales in Sydney.
Parker has had surgery to a nasty gash on his lower left leg that saw him carried off at the bigging of the second half.
Slater is having scans this afternoon on a possible damaged posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left knee.
"We'll know more after I have a scan this afternoon (Thursday)," said Slater before heading back to Melbourne.
"It was a positive I finished the game, definitely. I've been told it's a PCL injury but what grading or whether it's snapped I'm not sure."
Slater, who felt the injury cut his pace back to 75 per cent, said he'd been told he could keep playing without his PCL.
"I think Justin Hodges is missing a PCL in one of his knees which is positive news for me," Slater said.
"It's a common thing to repair PCLs so hopefully it's just a rehab thing and a matter of getting the strength back."
Slater was put through a fitness test in the dressing room during the half-time break by Queensland team doctor Roy Saunders before being allowed to return to the field.
He said once the injury was properly diagnosed he would begin the process of rebuilding strength in his left knee.
"I'm hoping it's not long, not three weeks anyway," said the electrifying 28-year-old.
"Obviously I want to be there for game three, that's the short term goal. I'd really like to be there for that."
Parker was expected to be released from hospital on Thursday to fly home to Brisbane.
He has told Fox Sports that he's hopeful of recovering in time for the series decider.
"I've been better mate but I had surgery last night and I guess now it's just a matter of mending.'
While team-mates and staff could not look at the gaping wound which went through to the bone, Parker is understood to have asked Dr Saunders while he was being examined on the sideline if he could go back onto the field.
Dr Saunders said late on Wednesday night that the risk of infection was the biggest concern for Parker.
He said while the deep wound would have been cleaned and sterilised, there was always a chance a fragment of dirt or grass could lead to infection.
Because of its location, Parker's wound was not stitched closed to help it heal and to limit the risk of it splitting open again.
Dr Saunders said it was difficult to put a time frame on when Parker would be able to return to the field.
He said his cut was as bad as any he had seen while treating footballers.
Winger Brent Tate (ankle and knee) said he would wait until returning home to Townsville on Thursday to make a call on whether he backed up against Brisbane on Friday night.
"It's a bit sore and it feels a little funny so I'll wait until I see the medical staff at the Cowboys before I make any decision about whether I'll play on Friday night," Tate said.
Brisbane's Origin pair Matt Gillett and Ben Hannant will again back up but veterans Petero Civoniceva, Justin Hodges and Parker will miss the clash.
AAP
Tags: sport, rugby-league, state-of-origin, sydney-2000, brisbane-4000 First posted June 14, 2012 12:50:08