Folau out of Four Nations

Israel Folau has ruled himself out of the upcoming Four Nations tournament in Europe as he continues to battle an ankle injury.

The 20-year-old suffered a fracture of the fibula bone in Round 17 against the Warriors and missed the next seven games and the State of Origin finale as a result before returning for the Broncos' final two games of the regular season and their finals campaign.

But while he managed to score five tries in as many games following his return, including a hat-trick in the qualifying final against the Titans, Folau was still restricted in his movement and will take the conservative approach as he looks ahead to 2010.

"I'm definitely not going," Folau said on Thursday, soon after coach Tim Sheens had rated him a 90 percent chance of missing the tour.

"It's disappointing but I've got time on my side for future Australian teams."

"I think it's good for my ankle long-term (not to go) and it should be right for next season."

"I pretty much knew I'd be ruled out and resting it up is the right thing to do."

"I'm only 20 and I've got a long time in the game to achieve the goals that I want."

Folau has been replaced by St George Illawarra winger Brett Morris who got the nod over team-mate Darius Boyd.

While there is doubt also over the fitness of Parramatta second-rower Nathan Hindmarsh and Melbourne prop Brett White with both players battling shoulder injuries, Sheens is confident that both will come up for the tour with a final decision to be made on Tuesday.

"He has an appointment with the specialist tomorrow - it doesn't look too bad - but that will be based on the specialist's report," Sheens said of White.

"Hindy we'll give until Tuesday next week."