League: Hannant longshot to replace Price

Steve Price has been battling the flu. Photo / Getty Images

Queensland captain Darren Lockyer has nominated injured prop Ben Hannant as a possible shock replacement for Steve Price in tomorrow's third Origin match if the veteran fails to shrug off a virus.

While Price is expected to recover in time to play, Lockyer yesterday refused to rule out Hannant making a surprise return for the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium if needed.

The Bulldogs would almost certainly be reluctant to see Hannant rushed into a return from the knee injury suffered three weeks ago which was originally diagnosed as needing a four-to-six-week recovery.

Hannant has not played since battling through the last 10 minutes of the second Origin win in Sydney with a medial ligament strain as Queensland wrapped up a historic fourth straight series.

While he told Queensland coach Mal Meninga he wanted to play before the third squad was named last Monday, the Bulldogs were adamant then that he would not be available for selection.

Asked if Hannant, who is in camp with the Maroons on the Gold Coast, could play if needed, Lockyer said: "I suppose it's an outside chance.

"The only reason I say that is because he's been with us all week and he's been running. It's highly unlikely Pricey won't play but it is a possibility, I suppose."

Lockyer will join Allan Langer, 34, Mal Meninga, 32, and Wally Lewis, 31, as the only members of Queensland's 30 Origin match club tomorrow night.

But he refused to buy into speculation he may retire from representative football next season even if Queensland complete their first 3-0 whitewash since 1995.

He said giving his Brisbane club total focus would be a major consideration in his decision.

- AAP