Fullback James Tedesco has been ruled out of State of Origin I with confirmation his fractured shoulder blade will sideline him for at least four weeks.

The Wests Tigers No.1 was a top contender for the NSW fullback spot, but hurt his left shoulder in the first half of last Thursday night’s NRL win over South Sydney.

He was expected to be ruled out for an extended period and on Monday, the Tigers said that after consulting a specialist, Tedesco will be out of action for between four to six weeks.

The injury also ruled Tedesco out of this weekend’s City-Country fixture in Tamworth.

The Blues fullback jersey now looms as a battle between St George-Illawarra’s Josh Dugan, North Queensland’s Lachlan Coote and Penrith’s Matt Moylan.