Sidelined Penrith star Lachlan Coote says he's testing injections on his osteitis pubis injury this week and is confident of being back before the NRL finals.

Coote was the spark behind the Panthers rise up the ladder but has been sidelined since round 21 with the injury which causes chronic groin pain and has no definitive cure.

For the past month Coote's return has been a week-to-week proposition but last week suggestions emerged that the talented fullback may not make it back at all this year.

On Monday, Coote received several needles on the troubled area and if the injections take, he is hopeful of returning for Penrith's round-26 clash with Cronulla.

The frustrated 20-year-old is desperate to be back for the Panthers' finals tilt.

"I should be back, I've been trying a few things now, just at the moment I'm going to get some needles to see how they're going to go," Coote told AAP.

"But I should be back this year, I'm hoping to be back last round but not too sure yet.

"I get the needles today and see how they go and probably have this week off and then try and train next week and maybe play hopefully.

"I've been a bit disappointed. For the last couple of years I've been out with injuries and this time of the year I really want to play football and it's been frustrating not being out there and watching the boys have a lot of fun out there."

While the Panthers' premiership hopes would receive a huge boost if Coote was to return, Michael Gordon has been doing an excellent job in his absence.

Gordon's support play has been first-rate and has adopted the attitude that the position is his.

The Panthers have still missed Coote but Gordon has done everything in his power to ensure his absence hasn't derailed Penrith's campaign.

Coote knows his No.1 jersey is in good hands until he returns.

"A couple of weeks ago I was going to play and I said to Matty (coach Matt Elliott) I won't be at 100 per cent and I won't be able to play my best footy and I said to him I'd much rather have Flash (Gordon) be there than me trying to play inconsistent," Coote said.

"He's been good at the moment and he's been scoring some tries since he's been back there so I think he's loving it as well.

"We're sort of the same sort of players and he's been outstanding with what he's doing at the moment."

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