Cordner admits he could miss Origin III

NSW skipper Boyd Cordner is racing the clock to be fit for next week's State of Origin III with a calf injury.

Boyd Corner

NSW Origin captain Boyd Cordner sat out most of training on Thursday as his injury doubt lingers (AAP)

NSW skipper Boyd Cordner has conceded he is in doubt for for next week's State of Origin III as he battles a niggling calf injury.

Cordner failed to take part in Thursday's training run at Sydney Olympic Park and spent most of the session behind the goalposts talking to coach Brad Fittler and the Blues coaching staff.

While there is no pre-match deadline on the Sydney Roosters captain to prove his fitness, he had previously targeted Thursday's session to return to the training track.

Given he still has six days to get himself right, the Blues medical staff are taking a cautious approach and he hoped to run with his teammates on Friday.

"If it's not right, I won't play," Cordner said.

"I'm thinking of the team all the time. I don't want to be selfish at all or put the team in jeopardy if something does happen.

"I'll play if I'm 100 per cent confident."

Fittler is said to be happy with Cordner's recovery and will give him up until the 11th hour to prove his fitness for Wednesday's clash at Suncorp Stadium, where the Blues will attempt to complete a series clean sweep.

"The calf is going really well. I had a good session yesterday running on the alter-G (treadmill) and it's made me even more confident," Cordner said.

"With it being a long week, it helps us, we don't have to rush it if we don't have to.

"I'll be warming up tomorrow and doing most of the session. That's the plan."

Should Cordner fail to prove his fitness, Gold Coast skipper Ryan James will come into the side on the bench for his Origin debut.

James is in camp with the Blues as 18th man but is scheduled to fly out to the Gold Coast on Friday afternoon to join his Titans teammates ahead of Sunday's NRL clash with Brisbane.

However that could change if there is serious doubt about Cordner's fitness.

Game two debutant prop Matt Prior has also rejoined Blues camp in Sydney as a shadow player and ran with the side.

Newcomer Tariq Sims, who has been named on the bench, filled in at Cordner's position at left back-row on Thursday, working on his combination with James Maloney, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr.


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Source: AAP



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