Cameron Murray's hopes of featuring in State of Origin I have taken a significant hit, with the South Sydney skipper set to undergo surgery on a shoulder complaint.
Murray should only miss three to four weeks, starting with this weekend's game against the Warriors before the Rabbitohs face Canberra and the Wests Tigers.
But the 24-year-old will be facing a tight recovery time to be right to feature for NSW in Origin I on June 8.
After undergoing off-season shoulder surgery, Souths say Murray had begun to develop discomfort in his shoulder.
The captain had scans and saw a specialist on Tuesday before the Rabbitohs sent him for a "minor procedure".
Murray has been one of Brad Fittler's most dependable players since making his Origin bow in 2019.