Former NSW coach Phil Gould is worried the backs-to-the-wall Blues will peak too early for their must-win Origin clash with Queensland on Wednesday night.

Aiming to square the series in game two at Telstra Stadium, the Blues undertook a ball-work session at Aussie Stadium without injured centre Mark Gasnier (groin), who did some light running by himself.

Dragons chief executive Peter Doust said he spoke to Gasnier and the 23-year-old told him he would know by Tuesday whether he'd be fit to play.

Gould predicted a NSW victory with former Test captain Andrew Johns steering the side at halfback, but warned against the Blues playing the game in their heads too early against a "relaxed" Maroons outfit.

"I think NSW will win ... but I have great respect for Queensland and the fact I think that they'll be relaxed on Wednesday night, one-up in the series," Gould told Channel Nine.

"I'm worried about NSW wanting to get revenge and being ready on Monday night and not being ready Wednesday night when it actually happens.

"You want to make sure you peak at the right time."

Gould predicted Blues coach Ricky Stuart to use Newcastle skipper Johns in the second line of defence as the 31-year-old has played just one NRL match in the past eight weeks after recovering from a broken jaw.

"We used him that way a couple of years ago," said Gould, adding the difficult part was curbing Johns' natural enthusiasm.

"We kept him behind the line in an old-fashioned halfback role.

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