Michael Jennings is pinning his hopes on winning a spot in Australia's Four Nations squad to help erase memories of a forgettable 2011 season as South Sydney star Greg Inglis battles to prove his fitness for the tournament.
Inglis, who picked up an ankle injury in the Rabbitohs' loss to Brisbane in round 25, also had minor knee surgery earlier this month and is considered a long-shot to make the Kangaroos' final squad.
The 24-year-old is still getting around on crutches and would need to be back in some sort of training if he was to be selected by coach Tim Sheens when the side is named on October 3.
While Knights-bound prop Kade Snowden (back) was ruled out of the tournament on Thursday, Cowboys duo Johnathan Thurston (knee) and Matt Scott (back) are both expected to be right.
"With Johnathan Thurston just finishing on the weekend, we didn't ask him to run. He's obviously got some time to rest that knee which is what's been ordered by the doctor," Sheens said on Thursday.
"With Greg Inglis ... his knee will be the issue but we'll give him until the last minute at this stage."
The absence of Inglis would open the door for Jennings to possibly add to his one Test cap from back in 2009.
The Four Nations tournament must have seemed a million miles away for the Penrith flyer as he battled injury for most of the season while also being punished by the club for two separate off-field indiscretions.
But Jennings said he had learned some valuable lessons during a 'tough' 2011 campaign and he planned to use next weekend's Prime Minister's XIII game in PNG to push his claims for a spot on the end of year tour.
"It was a tough season for me. Trying to battle through injuries and trying to get back to 100 percent was really difficult at times," the 23-year-old said.
"I guess it's a learning curve to push past this season and look forward to the next one and playing some good footy."
"But first I've got the opportunity in the PM's 13 to push my mark to get a spot for the Four Nations."
"If I get picked I'd be grateful and honoured and I would love to represent the Australian jersey and take that position."
"It would put the bad season I've had behind me and really end the season on a good note. I could go into next season confident and happy."
Fellow Kangaroos hopeful Luke Lewis acknowledged there was plenty of competition in the left-centre position with the likes of Chris Lawrence and Willie Tonga also in good form, but he backed his Panthers team-mate to get the job done.
Lewis said Jennings had matured following his off-field dramas in 2011 and believes he is now fully focused on his football.
"His attitude is spot on at the moment. He knows what he wants in his football and what he wants from rugby league," Lewis said.
"Greg Inglis is big shoes to fill, he's a champion player who's performed for Queensland and Australia every time he's played for them."
"But there's no better bloke to be able to fill those big shoes than Michael Jennings."