He's battling injury but Josh McGuire must be in Queensland's State of Origin team for next month's series opener.
That's the view of former Maroons enforcer Martin Lang three sleeps before coach Kevin Walters reveals his team for the June 5 clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Incumbent No.13 McGuire hasn't played since straining his calf in North Queensland's NRL round eight clash with Gold Coast.
McGuire could be picked at lock but has also been nominated as a solution the vacant No.9 position ahead of clubmate Jake Granville.
Walters needs to find a hooker with incumbent Andrew McCullough (knee) and potential replacement Jake Friend (biceps) both injured.
McGuire has travelled with the Cowboys to Canberra ahead of Saturday's clash with the Raiders but Lang says regardless of whether the 29-year-old plays he should be in the Queensland team.
"If he's even close he'll be selected," Lang told AAP.
"He's a very experienced campaigner whose always done the job very well for Queensland in the past.
"He brings a lot of comfort to the younger players around him too and it's always that way in Origin, you do need those senior guys.
"If his calf's right he'll go out there and have a strong game, there's no doubt about it."
Another Maroons forward under a fitness cloud is Titan Jai Arrow.
The 23-year-old was ruled out of Friday's clash with Manly at Lottoland after injuring a hip flexor in training on Thursday.
Arrow himself says the strain isn't serious and he'll be fit for Origin and Lang said he'd shown enough good form to retain his Maroons jersey.
"He's got this weekend off and then the next weekend off and then it's the following Wednesday," Lang said.
"Going by all reports you'd imagine he'd be fit and raring to go. Kevvie Walters will be very keen to have him in there I'd imagine given the way he's played this year."
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