Adam Reynolds has declared he will be fit to take on the Roosters in next week's NRL showdown, despite copping a serious shoulder knock in South Sydney's win over Newcastle.
Reynolds appeared to be carrying his right shoulder for the majority of Saturday's 24-18 victory over the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium, regularly requiring the attention of trainers.
He also has the added disadvantage of a five-day turnaround into the Thursday night clash, and the knock comes just a week after he returned from appendix surgery.
Nonetheless he said he was confident he would be available to spearhead the Rabbitohs in next week's eagerly anticipated local derby with the undefeated Roosters.
"I'll be ready to go for next week," he told AAP.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"We've got a good physio team and no doubt they will look after me and get me in the right spot."
Reynolds suffered the hit early in the first half but he was required to regain control of the match after Souths went to the break on the wrong end of a 12-10 scoreline.
He said he continued to have shooting pains down from his neck for the rest of the game, which only got worse as the match went on.
"I'm not sure what happened," he said.
"I got hit a few times in the back, a bit of a whiplash effect. I'm not sure if that was the key moment.
"Gradually got worse as the game went on, making contact, as expected."
It did little to impact his performance with ball in hand.
He threw a lovely lofted cut-out pass to winger Braidon Burns to all but win the match for the Rabbitohs with 20 minutes remaining, and kicked with the same poise that earned him a NSW Origin jumper last year.
"He put his hand up and wanted to stay out there," coach Michael Maguire said.
"He did his job and he did it well."
Reynolds' importance to Souths is highlighted by the fact the Rabbitohs have won just five of 16 games without him since his debut in 2012.
Next week's clash with the Roosters will also see Reynolds come up against former NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce.
Reynolds replaced Pearce last season following the Rooster's off-field issues. Next week has already been billed as battle for this year's No.7 jersey but Reynolds said he had no interest in viewing it that way.
"That's completely away from mine or Mitch's hands," he said.
"We're here to play for our clubs. The selectors will make the decision and go from there."
