In a shift of approach Queensland are unlikely to select injured stars such as Jonathan Thurston and Cameron Smith if they are not fit to enter camp before the State of Origin opener in Sydney on May 26.

Maroon selectors have already pencilled in shadow players for every position and unlike a few years ago, believe they have the depth to cover losses in key positions.

Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris indicated a more conservative selection policy was likely, admitting there were already go some contingency plans in place because of a number of "borderline" players.

"We never take it for granted our gun players are not going to get hurt," Morris told AAP.

"We'll get medical updates on their injuries and time frames."

In previous years players have been given time in camp to overcome injuries but that approach appears out of favour in 2010.

"That's definitely not preferable," said Morris.

"If we're going to take a risk and play them (Smith and Thurston) in the first game and lose them for the second and third, it's not advantageous to us."

Thurston (shoulder), Smith (elbow) and Ben Hannant (knee) are touch and go for Origin while veteran prop Steve Price (foot) has little or no hope of making his 29th Origin appearance having not played an NRL game in 2010.

Smith has had x-rays and scans since dislocating his elbow in Friday's night's Test match against the Kiwis.

He was expected to consult a specialist on Monday with the possibility of missing three to four weeks.

Thurston's diagnosis is a little better although he would need to have time to prove his fitness which may not be appealing given Queensland want a fully fit side for the opening game with NSW hosting two of the three clashes.

Morris, co-selectors Alan Smith, Gene Miles and coach Mal Meninga will meet on Monday to pick their 17-man squad which will be confirmed next Tuesday.

Meninga will take the players into camp for a week at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast before heading to Sydney the day before the game.

Morris said a similar injury scenario, coupled with the loss of 12-game workhorse Dallas Johnson who is playing in the UK, would have been "disastrous" a few years when Queensland lacked the depth to adequately cover such losses.

Cooper Cronk and Scott Prince are options for Thurston's No.7 job while Manly's in-form hooker Matt Ballin, North Queensland's Aaron Payne and Titan Nathan Friend would all come into contention should Smith be ruled out.

Queensland's front-row stocks are better able to cope with the loss of Price and Hannant.

"It's going to be difficult for Pricey to make the side and Ben (Hannant's) in a fair bit of doubt as well," said Morris.

"A few years ago we'd have been in big trouble.

"But we've got Petero (Civoniceva) (Dave) Shillington, (Matt) Scott and Nate Myles all stepping up to the plate.

"As for (Dallas) Johnson, we've got Ashley Harrison, Neville Costigan, David Stagg, young Scott Bolton and Corey Parker is playing very well for Brisbane.

"Fortunately we've got a bit of depth in those areas."

Smith was told by his Melbourne specialist who studied his scans on Monday to keep his arm in a sling for two weeks.

Smith was delighted with the news and rated himself a 50-50 chance of being available for the first Origin.

Scans revealed some ligament damage caused by a past partial separation in the elbow joint.

With the Origin just over two weeks off, Smith would have to be selected and then nursed through camp.

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