The Penrith Panthers have confirmed Nathan Cleary will start off the interchange bench in the club's preliminary final.
Jack Cogger will start the match in the halfback position, while Cleary's role in the side is uncertain and his fitness falling under major question.
The Panthers confirmed Cleary has a stress-related bone issue in his foot after their Week 1 victory over the Roosters.
Cleary looked to be in discomfort in the final stages of the match, and has had a two-week rest to get it right for the preliminary showdown.
Now, it is clear the foot injury must be worse than previously thought, given the importance of this clash and Cleary's stature as the game's premier talent.
It is unknown what Cleary's role in the match looks like, and may be on the bench as emergency coverage, or to be injected into the contest for 15-minutes to ice the game.
Meanwhile, Scott Sorensen and Liam Henry will start the match in Ivan Cleary's late changes.
The preliminary final at 4pm will decide who faces the Roosters in the Grand Final on Sunday week.
