NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley says Paul Gallen will be a part of the Blues set-up for as long as the NSW captain wishes to play representative football.
Gallen is yet to publicly declare whether he'll make himself available for next season's Origin series, despite it being an element in drawn-out contract negotiations with his NRL side Cronulla that only ended recently when the veteran forward signed on for another year.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan revealed in June that this year's Origin series would be Gallen's last, which was then refuted by his skipper.
Daley said on Monday that if Gallen wants to play for NSW and is playing well for the Sharks, then he'll have a place in the team.
"That'll be Gal's decision on whether he wants to play Origin or not," said Daley.
"He'll see how his body holds up, and how he's travelling, but you know, all the indications are that he wants to play next year."
NSW were thrashed 52-6 in the third State of Origin match in Brisbane, and are seeking to rebuild for next year.
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