NSW and Cronulla captain Paul Gallen has been cleared of a serious knee injury.

Gallen sent a scare through the NSW camp just a month out from State of Origin I when he left the field after only three minutes into the Sharks’ victory over Newcastle on Sunday.

But scans have cleared the workaholic 31-year-old, who hopes to be fit for Cronulla’s clash with Wests Tigers on Friday, let alone the Origin opener on June 5.

Scans revealed Gallen had suffered a medial ligament strain in his right knee, rather than a tear which would have sidelined him for up to six weeks.

“With the short turnaround, Gallen is unlikely to be fit to play the Tigers on Friday night and, while no timeframe has yet been given for a return to the field, he is not expected to be sidelined for an extended period,” the Sharks said in a statement.