By Scott Bailey
NSW State of Origin lock Tyson Frizell will have scans on his back on Monday to determine the full extent of an injury suffered in St George Illawarra's NRL loss to Gold Coast.
Frizell left the field in the 46th minute of the Dragons' 20-10 loss to the Titans on Friday night, after he has battled rib and ankle injuries in recent weeks.
However, the news is better for Blues centre Josh Dugan, who will be monitored with a corked thigh when he enters NSW camp on Monday.
He is expected to have no issues ahead of the July 12 Origin decider, despite not returning to the field after going off in the 53rd minute at Cbus Super Stadium
Scans needed: Tyson Frizell in pain during the loss to the Titans.Credit: Chris Hyde
Dragons coach Paul McGregor was also confident Frizell would be cleared of any serious injury to the middle of his back, just a week-and-a-half out from the biggest match of the 25-year-old forward's career.
"He had an ankle and a rib going in [to the match]," McGregor said after Friday's NRL clash.
"He was able to come back on but he was limping when he was out there for most of the first half anyway so to put him back out there wasn't the right thing to do for his welfare."
Any injury to Frizell would represent a significant blow to the Blues, who already have fellow back-rower Boyd Cordner in doubt with a calf injury.
The NSW captain confirmed on Friday night he was "quietly confident" he would turn out for the Suncorp Stadium fixture, but is yet to recommence running.
Blues fullback James Tedesco will also come into the game without an NRL match under his belt since Origin II, after he was ruled out of the Wests Tigers' clash with Newcastle on Sunday.
Tedesco injured the ankle celebrating a Mitchell Pearce try in the Blues' 18-16 loss in Game II, on May 21.
However, Tigers coach Ivan Cleary said he expected the No.1 to be fit for Origin.
AAP