He's hopeful but Gold Coast forward David Fifita won't be taking any risks with his injured knee to play for Queensland in this year's State of Origin opener.
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The wrecking ball is sidelined after suffering an MCL sprain in his right knee against Penrith in round eight and has missed Gold Coast's past two games.
Despite returning to running and light training activities, Fifita is still at least a couple of weeks away from a return with the May 27 derby against former club Brisbane his earliest possible fixture.
That would give the 22-year-old a chance to prove his fitness for Maroons coach Billy Slater ahead of the June 8 Origin opener but Fifita says he's not going to come back just for that if he's not right to play.
"My first priority is just getting my knee right, even if I do miss out on selections or an opportunity there," he said.
"I don't want to come back in a game and then I re-aggravate it again or something and then I'm out for a couple more weeks.
"I want to get it right."
If he can't feature for the Maroons, Fifita believes coach Billy Slater will have plenty of options with Titans teammate Beau Fermor in good form while teenage North Queensland backrower Jeremiah Nanai has also caught his eye.
Fifita also downplayed recent contact between him and Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, as speculation grows the expansion outfit would try to lure him away from the Titans.
"I have heaps of coaches that I reach out to," Fifita said.
"I reached out to my high school coach ... it's just I've known Wayne a long time, he's a good bloke and a good fella.
"He's there for advice.
"I've got another year and a half here and I'm contracted here until then. I'm happy and I'm here, can't see myself going anywere."
Australian Associated Press
