Cooper Cronk has been cleared to take his place in the Queensland State of Origin team after scans cleared him of a major knee injury.
The Melbourne halfback missed the final quarter of the Storm's 20-0 win over Penrith at Pepper Stadium on Saturday night after jarring his right knee.
Melbourne officials on Sunday said the injury was not as bad as initially feared and he would be okay to take his spot in Mal Meninga's side for June 17's Game II in Melbourne.
Melbourne football manager Frank Ponissi said Cronk had jarred his knee and while he would be rested and monitored over the next few days, he would be right to resume full training by the middle of the week.
"He'll have extensive physio and had the game been in the balance he might have stayed on (against Penrith)," Ponissi told AAP.
"But we're mindful of his workload over the Origin period."
It was initially reported that Cronk had suffered a meniscus tear and Meninga will be breathing a sigh of relief after the champion No.7 was cleared of major injury.
He suffered the injury while innocuously changing direction as he chased a Blake Green grubber.
He came to the sideline to receive treatment before returning to the field to make a try-saving tackle on Tyrone Peachey who threatened to run 80 metres to score after taking an intercept, only to be cut down by Cronk.
Cronk kicked the winning field goal for Queensland in their 11-10 in against NSW in Origin I and his presence will be warmly welcomed by Meninga.
Share
