Brisbane prop Nick Kenny has succumbed to a hamstring injury and pulled out of Friday night's NRL clash with Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.

But Brisbane officials are still considering a shock start for representative centre Justin Hodges, saying a decision will be left until an hour before the game kicks off.

If Hodges plays, he will partner boom teenager Israel Folau in a dynamic right-side pairing.

Kenny, meanwhile, will be replaced by either Ashton Sims or impressive youngster Josh McGuire, who has been playing strongly in the Queensland Cup.

Kenny's hamstring tear was only slight but the risk of further damage and an extended stint on the sidelines made the risk of playing too great.

Melbourne are confident star five-eighth Greg Inglis will play after he trained with the Storm at Ballymore on Thursday night for the first time this week.

Inglis is battling shoulder and knee injuries.

Both clubs opened their 2009 seasons with one-point wins last weekend.

The clash is a re-match of last year's knockout semi-final at Suncorp Stadium, when Inglis bagged a try in the last minute to end Brisbane's season.

The clubs played a spirited trial on the Sunshine Coast earlier this month, which the Storm also won.

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