Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary is set to be named for this weekend's preliminary final against the Newcastle Knights, but exactly what role he will be able to play remains to be seen.
Cleary suffered a stress-related bone injury during the Panthers' qualifying final win over the Sydney Roosters last Sunday, and while a full 14-day turnaround means he will be named to play, he is not a guarantee to take his spot, and if he does, he won't be at full capacity.
News Corp are reporting that, at a bare minimum, Cleary will give away goal kicking duties for the clash against Newcatle at Homebush, with with either Dylan Edwards or Paul Alamoti to take over.
It's also being tipped that Cleary will have to give up a lot of the general play kicking duties, with Jack Cogger to run the show as he returns at five-eighth.
It leaves the Panthers at a disadvantage heading into the game, although Cleary is viewed as too important to not play and be part of the side, even if he isn't at 100 per cent.
Cogger's role will be enormous given he takes over the lead of general play kicking, and it could force Ivan Cleary to leave Blaize Talagi in the centres for an extra boot, even though Luke Garner is due to be back on deck for the final game, or potentially two, of the season.
Penrith will also likely retain Jack Cole on the bench in case there are issues with Cleary, although that is also a potential spot for Talagi to line up.
Cleary isn't the only player struggling through a fitness issue for Penrith, with Isaah Yeo to continue playing through a ruptured pectoral muscle.
He played more minutes, and had more impact than anyone might have suspected in the lead-up to their win over the Roosters, and another 14 days will have helped his cause leading into the grand final qualifier.
Newcastle will head into the game on a seven-day turnaround, having stunned the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday afternoon to keep their season alive despite sitting with plenty of key injuries and suspensions themselves.
