Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday admits the jury is out on whether winger Corey Oates will return from a head knock in Friday night’s NRL preliminary final against Melbourne.

Oates is on modified training at the Broncos after a sickening first-half collision with teammate Anthony Milford and being taken off on a medicab in last weekend’s 13-6 semi-final win over Penrith.

Brisbane are not expected to make a call on Oates until Thursday’s captain’s run.

“We will see with Corey. He is still doing some modified training. It’s something you don’t want to rush,” said Thaiday.

“Something as severe as Corey was pretty sickening to see.”

The Broncos are desperate to inject Oates’ scoring firepower against the minor premiers and book their second grand final in three years.

Oates scored his eighth try in six finals games before his match ended abruptly against the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.

Brisbane hooker Ben Hunt reckoned the early signs were good that team niggler Oates would play.

“He seems to be going around training throwing a bit of chat around so he is getting back to his usual self,” he said.

But Broncos back-rower Alex Glenn said no one would know for sure about Oates until Thursday’s training session.

“I have had a few concussions and passed all the tests and been good to play the next week and I think that is where Corey is at the moment,” he said.

“We are taking precautions and will wait until Thursday to see how he is but, so far, so good.

“He is going around with a smile on his face and he doesn’t have a headache so that is good.”

Besides Oates, Brisbane also hope to clear Thaiday and Jai Arrow (both concussion) and welcome back captain Darius Boyd and bench forward Tevita Pangai (both hamstring) against the Storm.

Brisbane will confirm their team at 4pm on Tuesday.