The chances of Mitchell Moses featuring for NSW in the State of Origin opener have taken another hit, with the Eels halfback set to miss the side's Magic Round clash.
The 29-year-old has been sidelined since round three with a foot injury and is closing in on a return, but Nine reporter Danny Weidler revealed on Monday that Parramatta won't be rushing him back for their showdown with the Storm on Sunday afternoon.
If he misses the trip to Brisbane, Moses would have just one game to stake his claim for a spot in the Blues lineup as the race to replace the injured Nathan Cleary heats up.
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Moses was seen as an early front-runner to partner the Penrith superstar for NSW, but with both men having an interrupted NRL campaign, Michael Maguire is facing the realistic possibility of being without both playmakers on June 5.
https://twitter.com/Danny_Weidler/status/1789907991363240382?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
After performing admirably last year in a dead-rubber game three win for the Blues, Moses would be the ideal candidate to don the No.7 jumper given Cleary's absence, but his lack of game time could go against him at the selection table.
Nicho Hynes is near the top of the Dally M Medal leaderboard and is firmly in the mix to play for his state, while the likes of Matt Burton, Jarome Luai and Cody Walker could also factor into discussions.
But if Moses manages to come back from injury unscathed – even if it doesn't occur in Magic Round – the selectors could lean towards the experienced Eels star.
The halves dilemma isn't the only contentious decision NSW will have to make, with injuries to both Tom Trbojevic and Cameron Murray opening spots in the team.
Maguire will name his squad for the series opener at the conclusion of round 12.
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