Manly will give centre Jamie Lyon every chance to prove his fitness for Saturday's NRL match against Penrith.

The NSW Origin player limped off with a sprained ankle just 15 minutes into last week's 38-18 win over the Roosters but the Sea Eagles say he is yet to be ruled out of the Panthers match.

Instead, Manly's football manager Steve Gigg said a decision on Lyon would not be made until one hour before kick-off.

"No he's not definitely out," Gigg told AAP.

"He'll be given as much time as possible, right up until one hour before the game to prove his fitness.

"He trained yesterday, we expect him to train tonight and we'll see how he pulls up tomorrow."

In good news for Blues fans, Gigg said the sprain was not as serious as first feared and the 27-year-old should be fine to play in Origin II in Sydney on June 24.

"It wasn't as severe as we first thought so it's in a better situation than we first envisaged," he said.

Should Lyon fail to make the cut for Saturday's game, one of the contenders to take his spot is recruit Ben Farrar, who has only just completed a mid-season switch from North Queensland.

But Gigg said Farrar was no certainty to be brought into the team if Lyon is ruled out.

"He's one of a number," Gigg said.

"There's a fella named Andrew Suniula as well and we've got our eye on one of the under-20s who's been performing well so there's a few in the mix."

Saturday's match, which the Panthers will play in a pink strip as part of the NRL's Women in League celebration, is looming as an important one for both Origin camps.

While Lyon will be keen to prove his fitness, Queensland selector Alan Smith is heading to CUA Stadium to cast an eye over Panthers centre Maurice Blair.

The 24-year-old is in an apparent five-way battle to replace the injured Justin Hodges along with Cowboys pair Willie Tonga and Ash Graham plus veterans Wendell Sailor and Chris Walker.

Penrith will be hoping for a big game from Blair, with NSW pair Luke Lewis (toe) and Michael Jennings (thumb) both ruled out.

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