Injured NSW Origin star Greg Bird says he won’t jeopardise Gold Coast’s NRL’s finals push by fast-tracking his return to play in the NRL derby clash with Brisbane on Friday night.

The tough backrower was not named in the Titans’ squad for the match but was still expected to test the pectoral injury suffered in the Origin finale and push for selection.

However, Bird said on Wednesday he would miss the game in order to ensure he was fully fit for the rest of the Titans’ push toward the finals.

“If it was a semi-final I may be able to push for this week but we have some pretty important games after this one so I am going to rest up,” Bird said.

“There is (a temptation) but if I come back and re-injure it like I did at the last Origin it will probably rule me out for the rest of the season.

“I will sacrifice this game for the last six.”