South Sydney forward Sam Burgess says he will not be wrapping himself in cotton wool for fear of bringing his NRL career to a premature end.
Burgess says he is a "50-50" prospect of taking the field against Newcastle in Cairns on Saturday night.
He has been receiving treatment for a shoulder injury sustained against Canberra on Monday night.
The Rabbitohs' talisman has not trained with the side this week and admitted he was under an injury cloud for the clash.
"I'm not definite, I've got a few tests later," he said on Thursday.
"I've not trained yet ... we'll see how it goes. If I'm not right, I won't play."
Pushed on his chances, he said he was: "50-50... it just really depends, it's improved out of sight the last few days, I've been working pretty hard with the medical staff on my recovery."
With Burgess due to switch to English rugby union at the conclusion of the 2014 season, he initially feared he had played his last NRL game and he would be sidelined for the rest of the year.
He said his impending departure would have no effect on whether he played against the Knights.
"Once you start worrying and playing like that then (a season-ending injury) will probably happen," he said.
"I just get on with my job and nothing changes. I try to train as well as I can every day and hopefully I can play for the team on the weekend."
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