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Nathan Cleary is set to make his NRL return for Penrith against St George Illawarra if he recovers well from a final training session on match eve.
Nathan Cleary is in line to play his first game since State of Origin II with Penrith's star halfback closing in on an NRL return against St George Illawarra.
The Panthers on Thursday labelled Cleary a better than 50-50 chance to face the Dragons on Friday night, depending on how he recovers and wakes up after a training run on match eve.
The 23-year-old hasn't played since his season was put in jeopardy when due to a labrum tear in his right shoulder suffered in NSW's series-defining win over Queensland on June 27.
Penrith have noted Reed Mahoney's re-injury four games into his return from a similar injury for Parramatta last week, but are confident Cleary has been managed well enough.
"I said last week that he was more unlikely to play than play, this week he is more likely to play than not," coach Ivan Cleary told reporters on the Sunshine Coast.
"He definitely wants to get out there, but he has been very mature and understanding around the whole situation.
"He doesn't want to play unless he has ticked every box in his preparation.
"That has been an ongoing process for some time. We have always said when he is ready to go we will pull the trigger. And he is very close."
Penrith won't have Tevita Pangai available, with the newly-signed forward still on personal leave with his partner after the death of their unborn daughter mid-pregnancy.
James Fisher-Harris will at least be available for the Panthers from Sunday, with the prop to be released from hotel quarantine after returning to Sydney for the birth of his child.
Winger Brian To'o is some chance of coming back from his ankle injury a week before the finals after recovering from surgery better than expected.
The Panthers are confident they turned a corner in last week's win over the Sydney Roosters, after a worrying slide in their defence in the fortnight prior to that game.
But they will be without hooker Api Koroisau against the Dragons, after he was banned at the judiciary for one-game for shoving Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Koroisau was represented by Ivan Cleary after the Panthers were advised by lawyers they did not believe the case was winnable.
Cleary admitted he didn't believe he would win but saw merit in sticking up for Koroisau, who he claimed was only trying to protect a young teammate.
"Sometimes you have to do something on principle and support your players," Cleary said.
"We felt like it was a good case to challenge (with no risk of a longer ban). Still feel a bit confused about the whole thing.
"I enjoyed preparing for it. The actual event is a little nerve-wracking.
"I felt a little out of my depth at times because you don't know the process and whatnot.
"My understanding on the spirit of the game is totally different to the match review and the panel's."
