Casey McLean says he knew as soon as he hurt his ankle against Wests Tigers that he would be fit and available for NSW State of Origin selection a day later if needed.
The Penrith centre sent a scare through the state camp early in the second half of Sunday's 68-0 thumping win over Wests Tigers when he landed awkwardly contesting a kick.
McLean initially attempted to play on, before coming off the field for tests from club medical staff.
The 20-year-old had scans on Sunday night and awaits results ahead of NSW coach Laurie Daley's game-two team announcement, set to be made after the final game of round 14 on Monday night.
But Panthers staff could find no initial damage to the structural support installed from earlier syndesmosis surgery, and felt McLean could have returned to the field against the Tigers if required.
In another positive sign, McLean was jumping around on the sore ankle as the Panthers sang the team song after their big win.
"I'm completely fine," McLean said.
"The physios both said they're pretty confident in it, but I think we're just double-checking just to keep it sure (with the scans).
"I kind of knew straight away I'd be fine. It was just going to be a pain tolerance thing."
The news will come as a relief to the Blues after McLean was electric on Origin debut, replacing Tolu Koula after the first-gamer went down in an illegal tackle from Kalyn Ponga.
"Some say it's the pinnacle of rugby league, being able to play in that arena," McLean said of his Origin debut.
"It was a special week to be a part of."
Daley enters Monday with a handful of selection calls on his plate, some of which hinge on the outcome of Canterbury's clash with Parramatta.
The Bulldogs have named incumbent centre Stephen Crichton (shoulder) and bolter Jacob Kiraz (calf) despite injury concerns, but both will need to make it through their clash with the Eels.
Daley must also decide whether to put faith in playmaker Mitch Moses, who has not played since suffering a hamstring injury late in camp for game one.
Superstar Brisbane prop Payne Haas appears highly likely to come into the team after recovering from his knee injury.
NSW will need to make at least one change after bench hooker Blayke Brailey suffered an arm injury playing for Cronulla in the days after his Origin debut.
Uncapped Warriors rake Wayde Egan is an option after being placed on stand-by for the game-one squad.
Tigers hooker Api Koroisau, a four-time Origin player, is another contender.
Koroisau had limited chances to assert himself on a 68-0 thrashing from the Panthers on Sunday, though he did make 41 tackles with only one miss.
NSW captain Isaah Yeo hoped the result would not count against Koroisau's Origin selection chances.
"I don't think it should matter," Yeo said.
"We all sort of know, and it's not just a small window we're talking about, he's been an outstanding player for a long period of time.
"Api's done a wonderful job every time he's put on a Blues jersey, he just hasn't been given much of an opportunity in that arena."
