Penrith have dropped NSW State of Origin hopeful Michael Jennings to the NRL club’s NSW Cup feeder team Windsor Wolves.
Penrith take on St George Illawarra at Centrebet Stadium on Monday night.
Jennings was believed to be sidelined for up to a month with a shoulder injury first suffered against Newcastle in round eight, but he trained strongly on Tuesday to allay any fears about his fitness.
Considered a certainty to be named in the NSW side for Origin I on May 23, Jennings will turn out for the Wolves on Saturday against the Auckland Vulcans at Mount Smart Stadium.
Jennings was benched early in the second half of Penrith’s heavy loss to Melbourne on Saturday night, with coach Ivan Cleary admitting he was fit to go back on if required.
He came up with three missed tackles and just one tackle break against the Storm, with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy admitting he targeted the centre’s suspect shoulder.
There are also allegations Jennings was spoken to by club officials following reports he broke team rules by drinking while part of the team’s rehabilitation group on Anzac Day.