Nathan Hindmarsh's plans to farewell representative rugby league on Australia's Four Nations tour will hinge on his ability to convince coach Tim Sheens he can play through a knee injury without the aid of painkillers.
The workaholic back-rower ignored the problem during Parramatta's surprise run to the grand final and planned to have the knee operated on shortly after the decider.
But after being chosen in an Australian side for the first time in two years, Hindmarsh has delayed surgery and insists the injury won't prevent him from touring.
A cautious Sheens is not so sure, declaring he is unwilling to risk any player who is not 100 percent fit due to the strict selection rules governing the Four Nations tournament.
Once the squad is announced, no further changes can be made.
Asked if he would be fit to tour, Hindmarsh told Sportal on Thursday: "I'll be okay, definitely."
"I've been playing with it the last four or five weeks and it hasn't bothered me during games."
"The concern was more to do with how it would affect my pre-season with Parramatta and how much it would interrupt that, but I spoke to (coach) Daniel (Anderson) and our doctor Michael Johnson and they said 'you are more than welcome to go'."
But the final say will belong to Sheens and the Kangaroos medical staff.
Told Hindmarsh was willing to take painkilling injections to play, Sheens responded: "I'm very loathe to give needles to play."
"He didn't play at all on the last tour because of a knee (injury)."
"I've told him that come Tuesday we will have to make a call."
"I'm not keen to play anyone with a needle when we get there for game one."
If he is passed fit, Hindmarsh has revealed the Four Nations tournament will be his last appearance in representative football.
With his career entering its final stages, the 30-year-old wants to put all his energy into the Parramatta cause.
"I'm fortunate enough to be in the Australian side again so I'm going to take the opportunity to say 'thankyou very much' and hopefully finish up my rep career with a win in the Four Nations," he said.
"It's all about trying to stay fresher. I have noticed the change in my body since not playing Origin and Test football."
"Origin does take a lot out of you and towards the back-end of the year you do realise you've played extra games."
"I've got no problem with it all ending. I've been fortunate enough to play for Australia and I couldn't be happier with what I've achieved in rep footy."
On his selection in the Australian squad after such a long absence, Hindmarsh said: "It's a huge honour. I thought my rep career was pretty much done and dusted."
"To miss out for two years - and given the quality we've got in the back-row - it was a massive shock to be picked again."