‘They have to be nursed’: Fittler reveals training plans for injured Blues trio

Brad Fittler’s coaching future hinges on next week’s Origin blockbuster in Brisbane, but he’s backing three injured stars to recover and get the job done for the Blues.

The Blues are taking no chances, with Latrell Mitchell set to be on light duties until Sunday, when things will really ramp up. Picture: Adam Yip

Blues coach Brad Fittler admits Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray and Liam Martin are “risks” for next Wednesday’s must win State of Origin game in Brisbane, confirming the injured trio will be on light duties this week.

Mitchell missed the Origin opener after he injured his calf the day before the team flew out to Adelaide, which means he won’t have played any footy for more than a month if he’s cleared to run out at left centre next week.

His South Sydney teammate is also in some doubt, with Murray hurting his groin in the win over the Titans two weeks ago.

Latrell Mitchell will be given every chance to play after he was ruled out just days before the Origin opener. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Both men will be on restricted duties for the next few days, with Fittler confirming they won’t do any contact work until Sunday.

It’s a big risk to go into a game like this with so many players under injury clouds, but Mitchell and Murray are both experienced and know the NSW system inside out.

“They’re risks and they have to be nursed,” Fittler said.

“We’ve been communicating with the South Sydney medical department, and to get these blokes to next Wednesday, they can’t do much on field stuff. It’s as simple as that.

“We think that they’re valuable and that they’re definitely worth the risk. If anything, at this stage of the year, I don’t know how much on field stuff they need.

“We’ve been working very closely with South Sydney and we’re looking at Sunday for them to train full-time. Given where Latrell sits in our plans, he’ll be given every chance.”

Cameron Murray missed South Sydney’s most recent game against the Dragons but is considered a good chance of overcoming a groin injury in time for next Wednesday’s match. Picture: NRL Photos

While the Rabbitohs duo can be eased back, the same can’t be said for Panthers star Liam Martin, who won’t be able to train properly until the captain’s run next Tuesday.

Martin suffered a concussion in Penrith’s win over the Roosters when he found his head in the wrong place while making a tackle, making direct contact with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ hip.

Following the incident, he stumbled around on the Allianz Stadium turf and began bleeding, with the independent head doctor in the bunker ruling him out of the game under the league’s new category one concussion protocols.

The Blues are playing it safe with Liam Martin, who was one of their best players in game one. Picture: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

Martin is subject to the NRL’s 11-day mandatory concussion stand-down policy, which means he won’t be able to do any contact work this week in a big blow to the Blues, given he scored a try and was one of their best players in Adelaide.

But Fittler isn’t worried about the lack of preparation for the hard-running edge forward.

“Liam is different. Liam can do some kind of training today … but contact is the big thing with Liam. He won’t be doing any contact leading into the game,” he said.

“The way he did the injury, maybe he doesn’t need contact for a while.”