Aaron Woods set for shock comeback from hamstring injury in bid to secure State of Origin spot

WESTS Tigers skipper Aaron Woods is ready for a shock early return from injury this Friday night, all but guaranteeing him a spot in the NSW side for State of Origin l.

NSW's Aaron Woods tackled by QLD's Sam Thaiday during State of Origin Game 2 between the NSW Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Picture: Gregg Porteous

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WESTS Tigers skipper Aaron Woods says he won’t risk going into State of Origin underdone despite being set to make a remarkable comeback from a hamstring injury.

Woods was set to miss up to eight weeks with a hamstring tear suffered in Wests Tigers’ round nine loss to Cronulla at Leichhardt 18 days ago.

The injury forced Woods out of Australia’s Test win over New Zealand in Canberra.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Woods is back in training and will play against Brisbane this Friday at Suncorp Stadium, provided he passes a fitness test.

But he reassured Blues fans he wouldn’t make himself available for Origin I if he was underdone.

Woods was forced out of the Test match due to the injury.

“There’s no risk, I won’t play unless I’m 100 percent fit,” Woods told The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday night.

“Everything in my recovery has gone really well.

“I’m not worried about NSW or State of Origin — I just want to get through this game for Wests Tigers.

“I missed the Test and a club game. It’s been frustrating and disappointing.

“I have worked hard on the injury and now just to get back and help the boys.

“I have to pass a fitness test (on Thursday) before I know I am definitely playing.”

NSW's Aaron Woods tackled by QLD's Sam Thaiday during State of Origin Game 2 between the NSW Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Provided Woods comes through the Broncos game unscathed, he will be selected by the Blues, who will announce their squad on Monday night at The Star.

He was considered no chance to play the Origin opener.

If Woods was unable to prove his fitness by playing in Friday’s game, Blues coach Laurie Daley would not have considered him for selection without a game under his belt.

“He has been member our team over the past three years and he’s a bloke I have a huge amount of respect for,” said Daley.

At one point, it was feared Woods could miss the Origin series.

Woods made his NSW debut in 2013 and has started the past 11 games.

If he gets through the clash with Brisbane unscathed, Woods becomes a captaincy candidate again although Sydney Roosters forward Boyd Cordner remains the firm favourite.

Aaron Woods was named in the starting side to make his comeback from injury. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Canterbury’s David Klemmer is another certain selection with the other front-row spot to be fought out between Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita and Penrith’s James Tamou. Fifita is understood to be slight favourite.

Other bench forwards in the mix for selection include Canterbury’s Josh Jackson and Manly’s Jake Trbojevic.

Daley has most of his side nailed down.

The ankle injury suffered by Manly’s Tom Trbojevic on Saturday night in Brisbane has forced a rethink in the backline.

Daley could opt for Michael Jennings at centre with Jarryd Hayne picked on the wing. The coach could also look at Daniel Tupou, a specialist winger.

Cronulla’s Jack Bird looks certain to be chosen as the NSW bench utility. There has been talk Roosters young gun Latrell Mitchell was being considered but he won’t be picked