NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley will meet with Paul Gallen on Friday to decide whether the injured Blues skipper will lead the charge in game one.
Gallen is still troubled by a hip/gluteal injury, putting in him major doubt for the series opener against Queensland at ANZ Stadium on May 27.
"I spoke to Gall on Monday and he still hasn't been able to do a lot of running," Daley said on Wednesday.
"That's something we have to have another talk about probably on Friday to see how he's travelling and we will probably have a really good indication of where he's at once we have that discussion."
Gallen won't play in the Sharks' clash with Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon which didn't bother Daley.
But the coach said his inspirational leader needed to be able to train when they went into camp.
"The last thing we want to do is put anybody at risk going into Origin one.
"We need to be clear early on what the team's going to be and everyone's going to have to train when he first comes into camp."
The absence of the suspended Greg Bird and possibly Gallen will open the way for the Blues to inject some young blood in the forward pack.
"In terms of picking some younger guys, there will be an opportunity there's no Bird and if Gall doesn't doesn't play a couple of spots open up," Daley said.
"If those guys don't play more than likely a couple of the younger guys will get a chance."
Country and Bulldogs backrower Josh Jackson is in the mix, although Daley said he was aware he had a foot/ankle injury.
He said Jackson would wear the NSW jersey at some stage.
"He's supposed to be playing on Friday night and we will see what happens after the game.
"Josh is a guy who has been on the verge of playing Origin.
"He may or may not get his chance this year but he's a guy who will eventually get there."
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