NRL: Hopeful Lockyer delays Manly decision

AAP

20 Sep, 2011 05:30 PM2 mins to read

Darren Lockyer says he is not in pain despite having three titanium plates inserted into his cheekbone. File photo / Getty Images

A final decision won't be made until Friday but Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer is confident of playing in the NRL preliminary final against Manly after completing a training session yesterday.

Two days after undergoing facial surgery in which three titanium plates were inserted into his cheekbone, Lockyer had a light session with the Broncos ahead of Friday night's must-win clash.

His face was still swollen, but Lockyer said he was not in pain - with a contact session tomorrow to determine his fate.

"I feel a lot better than I look," Lockyer said. "There's a bit of swelling there but I am not in pain.

"I am confident but I have not made a decision totally yet.

"We've only got one more field session and that's Thursday and I'll know by the end of that how close I will be, but I'll wait until Friday to make that call."

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin confirmed Lockyer would not be allowed to fly because of the injury and would have to drive to the Sydney game.

Having been informed of the risks associated with playing, Lockyer said the final call on whether he takes to the field would be his.

The champion playmaker has been told it would take another direct hit to the affected area for him to suffer further complications, something he believes has a minimal chance of occurring given it has not happened before during his record-breaking 355-game career.

Lockyer said he would not play if he had to be hidden on the field, with his only consideration for protection being specially designed headgear.

"If I think I am going to be a burden I will not play," he said.

"[The surgeon] would normally say that with this operation you would have six weeks off, so the decision's going to come down to me.