The Wests Tigers have confirmed Aaron Woods will line up for Friday's crunch clash against Brisbane as he attempts to prove his fitness for the State of Origin opener.
The Tigers skipper and prop has made a remarkable return from a hamstring injury suffered in a tackle against Cronulla nearly three weeks ago which forced him to miss the Anzac Test.
He will make an earlier than expected return against the Broncos and should he pull through, will be given the all clear to take his place in the Blues side.
"We've selected him, he's ticked every box. Unless something happens in the next 48 hours, we're confident he'll play," Tigers coach Ivan Cleary said.
Woods was long odds to be fit for the Origin series opener on May 31 that NSW coach Laurie Daley had already ruled a line through his name and was sizing up replacements.
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.
"I don't know about miracle. It's amazing what medical staff can do these days," Cleary said.
There'a been a few recently where players are coming back quicker.
"But I think because he didn't do the hamstring running, that actually made it easier. He's really driven and he wants to play."
Woods' influence was lacking in the Tigers' poor showing against South Sydney last week and Cleary said his return was a shot in the arm for the struggling side.
"We definitely missed him. No doubt," Cleary said.
"Last week was a poor performance, there's no running away from that."
