Origin dream still alive for Daly Cherry-Evans despite ankle surgery

Daly Cherry-Evans still has a chance of pulling on the Queensland jersey, despite an ankle injury ruling him out for up to six weeks.

The Manly Sea Eagles captain has suffered a syndesmosis strain to his right ankle, which is expected to keep him out for the next four to six weeks.

Cherry-Evans underwent surgery on Tuesday and a return within the six-week period would be regarded as a quick turnaround for syndesosis surgery.

Origin I is just five weeks away and Queensland coach Kevin Walters will select his Maroons team a week earlier, so the recovery timeframe could see Cherry-Evans thrown straight into the Origin arena without making a return for Manly first.

Cherry-Evans, who has been in electric form this season, returned to the Queensland fold for the first time since 2015 last year.

Should Cherry-Evans not be deemed fit to play in Origin I against New South Wales, North Queensland Cowboys skipper Michael Morgan would be expected to take the captaincy as well as playing at scrum-half.

However, Walters has previously tipped Melbourne Storm ace Cameron Munster to be the long-term skipper for the Maroons.