Kangaroos back-rower Beau Scott may be available for their Four Nations rugby league clash with Samoa at the weekend, with his hamstring injury not as serious as first thought.

Scott was an early first half casualty in Australia’s heart-stopping 16-12 win over England at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Sunday, which kept alive Australia’s hopes of winning the tournament.

The 30-year-old was initially set to miss the Kangaroos’ final-round encounter in Wollongong next Sunday but assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon said he was now a chance to play.

“He had a scan this morning and it’s not as bad as they first thought,” Fitzgibbon said at Monday’s recovery session.

“The medical guys will work with him around the clock and there’s a possibility (he will play).”

Fitzgibbon said the remainder of the players were sore after the bruising encounter but no-one else was in doubt for the match.

All four sides remain in contention for the Four Nations decider ahead of the final round of matches, with New Zealand to host England in Dunedin on Saturday.