Cleary set for post-Origin round-20 NRL return

Penrith star Nathan Cleary won't return from his hamstring injury until round 20. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Penrith will hold Nathan Cleary back until after State of Origin III, with the three-time defending premiers eying off a round-20 return against the Dolphins.

Cleary is now six-and-a-half weeks on from his second hamstring tear of the season, which was initially expected to rule him out for eight weeks.