Kieran Foran says he’s desperate to be a part of the New Zealand side that plays Australia on Friday week, but admits he’s battling to recover from a torn hamstring.

Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney said on Thursday Foran and Shaun Johnson would start against the Kangaroos, with Benji Marshall to miss out on a recall.

However, the Parramatta-bound five-eighth, who’s been named in the Manly side to play Melbourne on Saturday, hasn’t trained this week amid fears he could be sidelined for an extended period of time.

The 24-year-old has already missed three weeks of action earlier this season with a hamstring issue but the latest problem is in his other leg and kept him out of the Sea Eagles’ loss to Canterbury last Friday.

“It’s sort of day by day thing, I did it training, I am not too sure if I’m chance for this week,” Foran said.

“I’ve had a few hamstring injuries over the years, I am quite prone to them due to a bulging disc in my back that I’ve had for a while.

“I am working quite hard with the medical team at Manly to restructure how I do things to make sure I don’t keep missing games.”

Foran and Johnson have formed an outstanding combination at Test level with Warriors halfback winning the Golden Boot last year.

The Kiwis are chasing a third straight win over the Kangaroos and Foran said he would do everything he can to be involved at Suncorp Stadium.

“I am not too sure with the Test, it’s all down to if I play this week for Manly,” he said.

“I need to be on the field at Melbourne to have any sort of chance but I really want to be there in Brisbane.

“I am still working on the tear, it’s all rehab at the moment … I guess touch and go is the only way to describe my chances.”