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The NSW Blues have been rocked, with star enforcer David Klemmer sidelined for up to six weeks with a fractured wrist.
Brad Fittler's preparations for State of Origin II are already in disarray after star David Klemmer was ruled out for up to six weeks on Friday.
The fallout from their game-one loss had barely settled when Newcastle announced Klemmer fractured his hand during the game at Suncorp Stadium.
The best case scenario for the Blues prop is a four-week return, which gives him a shot at coming back for game three in Sydney.
"Klemmer fractured a small bone in his hand, and is currently being braced with further review early next week," the Knights said in a statement.
Uncapped pair North Queensland front-rower Jordan McLean and Brisbane prop Matt Lodge will likely come into calculations for Origin II in Perth.
Penrith No.10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard made his NSW debut last year but is only two games back from a shock axing to reserve grade.
Cronulla's Matt Prior also featured in last year's triumph.
Contenders will have two weeks to stake their claim before the Blues announce their game-two team at the end of round 14 next week.
Klemmer was one of three traditional props picked for the series-opener, alongside fellow starter Paul Vaughan and bench big man Payne Haas.
Fittler is already under pressure to make changes following Wednesday's collapse, with the halves among the most hotly-debated selections.
Whoever Fittler replaces Klemmer with, he has massive boots to fill.
The Kangaroos representative played 51 minutes straight against Queensland but was strangely denied another stint in the second half.
His 703 post-contact metres for the Knights so far this year is 83 more than his nearest rival, Warriors winger Ken Maumalo.
He is also fourth in total metres with 1937 - the most by a front-rower.
According to Newcastle media, Klemmer also suffered ligament damage, and will visit a specialist in Sydney on Friday to learn the full extent of his injury.
Klemmer will also miss the Knights' top-four NRL clash with South Sydney on Friday night, with his place expected to be taken by Pasami Saulo.
