Penrith powerhouse Viliame Kikau is a certainty to play in the club's crucial NRL match against the Warriors after sorting out visa issues with immigration authorities.
Kikau had been in doubt for the game after a visa bungle meant he risked being locked out of Australia had he travelled with the team to Auckland.
However, the Panthers confirmed on Tuesday that Kikau, who has a Fiji passport but has applied for Australian residency, has been cleared to fly with his teammates on Wednesday.
Panthers boss Phil Gould said he had hoped to have the papers cleared on time.
"As of Friday, we'd ticked absolutely every box," Gould said on the Nine Network's 100% Footy on Monday night.
"The last payment on his residency application was paid today and the receipts have been sent in. We're trying to get it fast-tracked at the last minute.
"I don't care if I have to fly him over on Friday. We need him in New Zealand for that game and he wants to be there.
"But we're also mindful that he's passionate about the Australian residency."
Kikau's inclusion is a huge boost for the fifth-placed Panthers, who face a major battle to claim an all-important top-four finish with just two games remaining.
The slumping outfit face the Warriors on the road before they round out the regular season with a road trip to face defending premiers Melbourne.
Penrith are level with fourth-placed St George Illawarra and and the sixth-placed Cronulla on 30 points.
