MELBOURNE Storm's Billy Slater yesterday declared he was ready and able to forego his standing as the game's best full-back to play a utility role for Queensland if that would earn his recall for this year's State of Origin series.

With the origin teams to be announced on Tuesday, Queensland coach Mal Meninga last week said he would show loyalty to the players who have taken the Maroons to the past two series wins — including incumbent full-back, Karmichael Hunt, who will today play only his second game for the Broncos since returning from a knee injury received in round six.

However, Slater, who spends time at dummy-half and in ball-playing roles with the Storm, said he was willing to play out of position or in a utility role for Queensland.

"I'll be happy with any Queensland jersey mate. Obviously it's a pretty tight team there so the main thing about Queensland is adapting to the side so … if I got picked it wouldn't worry me where I got picked," Slater said.

Until his Test debut on Friday night, Slater had not pulled on a representative jumper since he was dumped by Queensland as full-back after Origin II in 2005. However, he would not be drawn into speculation about his role with the Maroons this year, although it is likely the selectors would find space for both him and Hunt in the team.

"We'll cross that bridge when it comes mate," Slater said. "I've got to play well on Monday night for my club and the selectors will pick a side on Tuesday so we'll wait until then.

"I've got no comment on that sort of stuff. I'll just worry about Monday night and see what happens after that."

Slater said the eight Storm players who took part in the Centenary Test would have no problems in recovering for tomorrow night's round-nine clash against Newcastle.

Storm high performance unit manager Mary Toomey said there were no injury concerns among the group, plus Cooper Cronk, who did not take to the field after Johnathan Thurston passed a late fitness test on an injured ankle.

■Brisbane five-eighth Darren Lockyer has conceded he has little hope of leading Queensland into battle in Origin I after consulting his knee specialist.

The Brisbane, Queensland and Australia captain goes under the knife today to clean up any scarring and bone fragments in his right knee, and injury that has disrupted his comeback, forcing him to miss Australia's victory at the SCG.

It has also cast serious doubt over his availability to lead Queensland against NSW in the State of Origin series, with the first game just 11 days away.

"At this stage, origin is highly unlikely. But I am very confident the 'scope will put an end to the troubles I've been having," said Lockyer on the eve of his arthroscope procedure.

■Willie Mason produced his finest performance in Sydney Roosters colours last night as he led the tricolours to a 30-4 National Rugby League defeat of Canberra at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Backing up less than 24 hours after the Test win, Mason was at his inspirational best as the Roosters bounced back from successive losses with a dominant five-tries-to-one win.

On last night's performance Rooster Braith Anasta will be hard done by if left out of the NSW side.

■Penrith Mr Fix-It Luke Lewis led the Panthers to a crushing 30-4 victory over a depleted Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium last night.

Named in the back row but filling in at half-back after Jarrod Sammut was axed, Lewis scored a brilliant individual try and laid on another in a match more notable for its mistakes. Penrith made less, though, to post its five-tries-to-one win.

■An inspirational Brett Kimmorley led Cronulla to a 24-18 defeat of North Queensland at Dairy Farmers Stadium last night.

With AAP