June 07, 2008

QUEENSLAND captain Darren Lockyer remains at long odds to play in next Wednesday's second State of Origin clash with New South Wales as he continues his battle with knee pain.

The champion five-eighth trained for just the first time on Friday since his NRL comeback eight days ago but lasted only 10 minutes in an opposed session on the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast half-back Scott Prince was called into camp on Friday as cover for the doubtful Lockyer, who also missed Origin I with his knee complaint.

The Maroons must decide by Sunday whether to keep Prince in camp and rule Lockyer out, or release the Gold Coast star for his club's Monday night clash with Melbourne and run the risk of him possibly being forced to back up for Origin 48 hours later.

Queensland assistant coach Neil Henry said Lockyer's fitness had not become any clearer overnight.

He said the 31-year-old remained in doubt to overcome the knee injury and help lead the Maroons in the must-win game at Suncorp Stadium.

"I think at this stage Darren is a 50-50 chance of playing," Henry told ABC radio.

"He is suffering from pain in his knee.

"He did about 10 to 12 minutes of the opposed session with the Queensland (under) 18s yesterday and came straight off to apply ice to his knee."

There had been some fears earlier in the week that Johnathan Thurston had torn a muscle in his groin, however the star half-back is back into training and is considered almost certain to play on Wednesday.

The Titans meanwhile remain unclear over whether Prince will be released for their crucial clash with Storm with betting suspended on the game until a decision is made.

Tweed Heads captain Brad Davis and former Sydney Roosters player Josh Lewis are both on standby for the Gold Coast with doubts also over five-eighth Mat Rogers.