Queensland superstar Greg Inglis is hoping to miss just a fortnight of action, but South Sydney officials aren't banking on having their fullback on deck for at least the next month of the NRL season.
With the Rabbitohs four points clear at the top of the table, Inglis moved to ease fears about the seriousness of a knee injury he suffered early in the second half of Wednesday night's State of Origin decider.
He scoffed at the early prognosis of an eight-week layoff after having scans taken on his strained posterior cruciate ligament.
"We'll wait (to see) what the diagnosis is. At the moment, it's probably not looking too good," Inglis told Fox Sports.
"Eight weeks is probably a bit far-fetched - hopefully it's only two to three.
"It's probably a good thing. I'll get to rest up there and be able to be fit and ready in a few more weeks."
The Rabbitohs released a statement some hours later suggesting a four to eight week layoff was more likely.
"It's unfortunate to be losing Greg for an extended period but we have a few options at fullback which we have tested this year," Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire said.
"Myself and the team have the utmost confidence in those guys to get the job done until Greg is fit to return."
A fit and firing Inglis would be a welcome boost for Souths heading into the finals, as they attempt to end a 42-year premiership drought.
A brief layoff would also keep Inglis' hopes of snaring the Dally M medal alive, with the devastating fullback just one vote off the lead when voting went behind closed doors after round 16.
But even if he is forced to miss more time, Inglis is confident the Rabbitohs can maintain their high-flying ways.
"We're in a position where all our players are healthy and fit - I've got no question about whoever goes back there can get the job done," he said.
"They've shown that throughout the Origin period."
The Rabbitohs would be loath to rush back their star custodian, given the way Melbourne fullback Billy Slater struggled to find his best when he returned ahead of schedule from the same injury at the back end of last season.
Winger Nathan Merritt shapes as the obvious fill-in at fullback, with Justin Hunt another option for Maguire.
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