Queensland great Justin Hodges says he has no doubt Maroons ironman Johnathan Thurston will overcome a shoulder injury and play this month's State of Origin opener.
Hodges said Thurston would be determined not to miss a game in what loomed as the Queensland playmaker's Origin swansong.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters on Wednesday nominated Michael Morgan, Corey Norman, Anthony Milford and Daly Cherry-Evans as possible five-eighth replacements as he sweated on Thurston's fitness ahead of May 31's Origin I.
But Hodges believes Thurston will run out in the No.6 jersey in what is being billed as his last Origin series.
Thurston will reportedly retire from representative footy after the 2017 World Cup and concentrate on NRL club duties next year for North Queensland.
"I have no doubt Thursto will play," Hodges said.
"It's his last series.
"He will do everything he can. I have no doubt he will lace the boots up again."
Thurston's remarkable Origin record has also given Walters confidence his Maroons talisman will play in game one at Suncorp Stadium.
Thurston has played a record 36 straight Origins since his 2005 debut.
"The resilience he has shown over the years indicates he is very tough and recovers from injury very quickly which is what we are hoping he does," Walters said.
"I know he is a bit older now but I know he is doing everything he can to get back."
Walters said Thurston would not be required to play a NRL game to prove his fitness for game one.
"I think JT is at an age and place in his career that he can come into a big game like Origin without too much in his legs," he said.
"It wouldn't be Origin without something happening around the team like injuries.
"It's not ideal for us but, obviously, we will give him every chance."
Kangaroos coach and ex-Maroons mentor Mal Meninga said Thurston had played with painful injuries during his record run and believed the pivot would do it again in game one.
"He's played 36 consecutive games and, through that, I can assure you he has played with an injury before," Meninga said.
"He's one tough and resilient player and a quick healer."
Walters still had a plan B in case his worst fears for Thurston were realised.
Walters admitted he was unsure whether to promote Morgan, despite serving his apprenticeship as bench utility, after the form resurgence this year of Milford, Norman and Cherry-Evans.
"There two or three guys who are virtually a dead heat until they across the line," Walters said of his pivot contenders.
"Michael is one that comes to mind. He has been on the interchange for a couple of years.
"If something happened to John, I would be comfortable with him in the No.6 jersey but it just depends on how they all are in a couple of weeks."
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