Brisbane five-eighth Darren Lockyer has conceded he has very little hope of leading Queensland into battle in Origin I after consulting his knee specialist.
The Brisbane, Queensland and Australia captain goes under the knife tomorrow to clean up any scarring and bone fragments in his right knee which have disrupted his comeback, forcing him to miss last night's Centenary Test victory over New Zealand at the SCG.
It has also cast serious doubt over his availability to lead Queensland against NSW in the State of Origin series, with the first game just 11 days away.
"I've already spoken to the doctor and he thinks it will be two to three weeks," said Lockyer on the eve of his arthroscope procedure.
"At this stage, Origin is highly unlikely.
"But I am very confident the scope will put an end to the troubles I've been having."
Broncos assistant coach Ivan Henjak said the club was confident Lockyer would be back sooner rather than later.
"If he gets the surgery tomorrow we're quietly confident of him being back in two or three weeks," said Henjak.
"There's a few bits of cartilage that need to be shaved that have been irritating him and he's just having a little clean up surgery.
"It can only be a plus if he comes back and the problem is fixed."
Queensland selectors are unlikely to name Lockyer in their 17-man squad on Tuesday with either Scott Prince, Greg Inglis or Karmichael Hunt expected to take his place in the halves.
Slater's outstanding debut for Australia could convince Maroons selectors to play Hunt at five-eighth although Prince and Inglis are right in the mix.
Even if Hunt is named at fullback, Slater's form is too good to leave him out and he could be named on the wing.
Queensland ($1.77) have been backed into Origin favouritism in the past two weeks but Sportingbet Australia's Bill Richmond said the Blues ($2.05) would have that honour if Lockyer does not play.
