NSW Blues call up John Sutton and Josh Reynolds to replace Kurt Gidley for State of Origin one

UPDATE: AFTER 10 years of heartache, South Sydney five-eighth John Sutton looks to have finally grabbed that elusive NSW State of Origin jumper.

UPDATE: AFTER 10 years of heartache, South Sydney five-eighth John Sutton looks to have finally grabbed that elusive NSW State of Origin jumper.

Sutton and Canterbury five-eighth Josh Reynolds were last night added as 17th and 18th men to replace injured utility star Kurt Gidley.

Both players will enter camp today, a decision on who actually plays will be made later this week.

If that decision is made by Friday the omitted player would then return to play for his club side that night.

Gidley was ruled out with a ligament tear in his right foot and will miss six games. He could be available for State of Origin III.

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NSW coach Laurie Daley and chief advisor Bob Fulton consulted throughout yesterday before announcing Reynolds and Sutton.

Others players considered were Penrith prop Tim Grant, Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods and Newcastle forward Willie Mason.

Sutton, 28, has been on the edge of Origin football for several years. His form this year in a red-hot Souths side has been brilliant. He made his debut for Souths way back in 2004 and has played 193 NRL games.

Reynolds, 24, started with Canterbury's NRL side in 2011 and has played 48 first grade matches.

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"Both have been in good form and are certainly talented," Daley said.

"We haven't decided just yet which player will be 18th man. But I have no doubt both players are ready for Origin football.

"I consulted with Bob Fulton on the decision. We didn't want to rush it.

"Sutton was knocked out against Cronulla and Reynolds has a crook shoulder. We wanted to see how they pulled up. We'll see how they go."

Cronulla's Todd Carney was again overlooked for selection.

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Reynolds said yesterday before his call-up that he was ready to play a utility role for NSW.

"That's how I grew up, playing utility," Reynolds said. "I probably played every position coming through.

"If Laurie was to ask me to play that role I'd definitely be up for it. I've played a bit of hooker, I've played a bit of lock and things like that. If it came my way I would be happy."

Reynolds conceded he was upset at being overlooked for the original side.

"I'm not going to lie, it's obviously a tad disappointing but it just gives me a bit of drive to play some consistent footy and hopefully get there at some stage," Reynolds said.

"People forget a lot of the time that Origin's a bonus. I'm doing what I love every week playing in the NRL and I just want to let people know that.

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"James Maloney has been playing awesome footy and no one can hide that. I've just got to make sure that I'm up to his standards because he's setting the platform at the moment."

Elevating two five-eighths was questioned by one former great.

"John Sutton and Josh Reynolds called into the Blues squad very interesting," tweeted Mario Fenech.