NRL: Cordner anxious to beat break

Boyd Cordner aims to be "sweet next week". Photo / Getty Images

Sidelined with injury for two months, Roosters back-rower hopes to make NRL decider.

Boyd Cordner concedes he will not be 100 per cent fit but the Sydney Roosters back-rower says he will be ready to take the field anyway for next Sunday's NRL decider.

Cordner will not have played for almost two months by the time the grand final rolls around, having broken his ankle in the round 22 win over Canberra that seemingly put an end to his 2013 campaign.

But the 21-year-old, who enjoyed a breakout season which included a first NSW Origin jumper, never gave up, and his endeavours set to be rewarded with a start against Manly at ANZ Stadium.

Cordner was close to playing in Saturday night's preliminary final win over Newcastle, and hopes the extra week will be enough to convince coach Trent Robinson of his health.

"It was down to the physio's call at the end," Cordner said. "He came up to me and said 'I know what you're going to say because you want to play but I'm taking it out of you're hands, you're not going to play'.

"It ended up being a good [decision] in the end, the boys played well. If all goes well I'll be sweet next week for sure."

And getting through training may be all Cordner needs to do to get his name on the team sheet despite the long layoff, such has been his influence on the Roosters this year.

Asked if he would have any concerns playing Cordner in such a big game with such little preparation, Robinson said: "Not Boyd Cordner no. Not with his attitude and the way he plays the game."

Cordner said the only concern he would have going into the contest would be pain management, with little risk of further harm to his ankle.

"I'm not 100 per cent, but I'll give my 100 per cent effort," Cordner said. "I'm pretty confident [I can] have a good week of training ahead and hopefully get picked, because the way the boys played out there [against the Knights] it's going to be hard to get back into that team."

Cordner may not be the only change from the side which defeated the Knights, with veteran prop Luke O'Donnell also in line to return from a hamstring injury sustained in training last week.

NRL grand final
Roosters v Sea Eagles
Sydney, Sunday
Coverage begins 8.30pm, SS2.

- AAP