Bryan Fletcher or Steve Menzies is likely to be drafted into the NSW State of Origin squad on Sunday night as insurance for injured backrower Ben Kennedy.

Kennedy again sat out NSW training as he battles to overcome a hamstring tear in time to tackle Queensland in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.

The Newcastle secondrower admitted he wouldn't have a firm idea about whether he would play until Friday.

"It's a little bit sore at the moment. I don't really know where I stand," Kennedy said.

Kennedy is having physiotherapy twice a day and NSW team doctor John Orchard tonight said he expected the Test forward to begin training on Friday.

"He's probably 80 per cent likely to play at the moment," Orchard said, "He still obviously needs a bit of progress."

Even if Kennedy manages to resume training by Friday, selectors are likely to take an extra backrower to Brisbane.

It was understood that Fletcher and Menzies, both experienced Origin campaigners, were foremost in the selectors' minds.

Others being considered were Canberra utility Jason Croker, North Queensland's Glenn Morrison and Bulldog Willie Mason, although he would need to produce something special against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

Kennedy, outstanding on Sunday in the Knights' ground-breaking win over a Brisbane side boasting 11 Queensland players at the venue for Origin I, said he had his doubts about NSW selectors carrying an injured player.

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