3 minute read
Josh Addo-Carr is adamant one match back for Canterbury will be all he needs to prepare for NSW and State of Origin after a six-week syndesmosis injury.
Josh Addo-Carr has declared he will be fit and firing to play for NSW in State of Origin, unfazed by the prospect of playing only one match in seven-and-a-half weeks in the lead up.
Addo-Carr is on track to make his return from syndesmosis surgery in Canterbury's clash with Gold Coast on Sunday, on the same day players start entering camp for Game 1.
The Bulldogs flyer had initially hoped to return last weekend against the Warriors, before lingering pain in his ankle did not subside in time for kick off and he ruled himself out.
But this week, the 27-year-old has no such concerns ahead of the May 31 series opener.
Addo-Carr has not played since rolling his ankle on Good Friday, with the Indigenous superstar having been engaged in a race against the clock for Origin ever since.
Amid concerns over match fitness, Addo-Carr said it would not be an issue.
"People have done it before and returned off one game," Addo-Carr told AAP at Canterbury's Indigenous round launch on Wednesday.
"The passion and desire is inside you to do the job, and I have that.
"I should be good for Sunday. It gets better and better every day. It just pulled up a bit sore last week after doing a bit more wrestle and a bit more contact on the field."
A shock omission in last year's 2-1 series loss to Queensland, Addo-Carr responded by scoring 12 tries in five games during Australia's end-of-season World Cup success.
He said he still watched last year's Origin series as a fan, and held no hard feelings about Brad Fittler's decision not to pick him.
"Oath I watched it. I would support the brothers whoever puts the Blue jersey on," Addo-Carr said.
"But I did miss that feeling of running out with my brothers."
Addo-Carr's fitness is one of several decisions Blues selectors will have to wait until Sunday to assess.
Jake Trbojevic is due to return from a calf injury for Manly against Canberra ahead of time, in a bid to retain his jersey from last year.
Tom Trbojevic will play in that same match, with officials still hoping to see that he is back running at 100 per cent before picking him.
NSW officials believe he is operating at 85 per cent speed after a fifth hamstring injury in five years during the off-season, which prompted a change in his running style.
Trbojevic is theoretically in a battle with Campbell Graham, Stephen Crichton and Addo-Carr for two spots in the Blues' side at centre and on the wing.