Newcastle expect Kalyn Ponga to be heavily targeted by Canberra after the superstar fullback declared he is on track to play in their do-or-die NRL finals clash.
Ponga trained without the use of painkillers on Thursday, and while there was minimal contact his shoulder is expected to be needled up for Sunday's elimination final in Newcastle.
Sidelined since he suffered a high-grade AC joint injury in round 26, Ponga is arguably the most important player for Newcastle since the days of Andrew Johns.
And at this stage, all remains on track.
"The shoulder is good," Ponga said on Thursday.
"I trained today, got everything I needed out...