Justin Hodges has dismissed concerns his State of Origin injury hoodoo has struck again after coach Mal Meninga included fellow centre Dane Nielsen in an extended 19-man Queensland squad.

Nielsen, who made his Origin debut as Greg Inglis’ replacement in the first two games of last year’s series, was seen as cover for Hodges.

Hodges missed Brisbane’s 24-22 NRL loss to premiers Manly on Friday with a foot injury but said on Monday he was confident he’d be able to train before this weekend and was in no doubt for game one in Melbourne on Wednesday week.

“(The jokes) have become second nature when Origin rolls around,” said 31-year-old Hodges who has played just 11 of 30 Origin matches since his debut in 2002.

“My body seems to know when it’s Origin time and likes to play up on me a bit.

“I don’t think I’ve played three Origin games in a series yet, I’ve always had an injury somewhere.

“Hopefully this will be the year because I trained really hard in the off-season.”

Hodges said he’d been cleared of possible ligament damage below his ankle.

“All the tests have been sweet,” he said on Tuesday.

“My left calf was a bit tight when I hyper-extended my knee (against the Titans last month) which could have something to do with with it and I rolled the ankle in New Zealand and suffered a slight strain.

“Scotty (Queensland physiotherapist Scott Thornton) had a look at it yesterday (Monday) and it’s nothing serious, it’s just a bit sore.”

Brisbane needled Hodges injury the day before the Manly game in the hope of getting him on the field.

“It worked and I was able to run but after I had a massage and got off the table my whole foot went numb,” said Hodges.

“The needle must have hit a nerve or something so I couldn’t play.”

The Queensland team held a media session at their Brisbane hotel on Tuesday morning before flying to Melbourne for a week-long build up to the opening game at Etihad Stadium.

AAP wh/nh/ash