NSW will need to find a new skipper when they embark on Laurie Daley’s first match in his second stint as coach. 

Jake Trbojevic suffered a head knock that likely rules him out of State of Origin in Manly’s win over North Queensland on Saturday night with Penrith’s Isaah Yeo set to inherit the captaincy.

With an 11-day stand-down rule, Trbojevic would only be available to resume training with the Blues a few days out from the first Origin match, in Brisbane on May 28.

Daley is yet to decide on whether skipper Jake Trbojevic will retain the captaincy or his spot in the squad.

Trbojevic was forced off the field exactly a month ago after suffering a head knock while trying to tackle St George Illawarra forward David Klemmer, and has been in patchy form in his limited game time this season.

Daley has faced growing calls to drop Trbojevic for this year’s series against the Maroons, despite leading his side to a 2-1 series win over Queensland last year.

He had kept his options open earlier in the week and said although “Jake did a terrific job last year” that “we’ve got other captains within our possible side”.

NSW are set to name their team on Sunday night but could delay the announcement until Monday morning.

Jake Trbojevic comes from the field. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Daley has indicated that Latrell Mitchell is back in the mix while fellow centre Stephen Crichton is in the clear after copping a grade-one dangerous contact charge that carries with it a $3000 fine after Canterbury’s win over Sydney Roosters on Friday.

Had the Bulldog copped a grade-two charge for putting his shoulder into Lindsay Collins’ head, he would have been looking at a three-match ban.

Crichton is also carrying a thigh injury but is confident he will be fit for Origin I.

Parramatta winger Zac Lomax scored two tries and ran for more metres than any other player in Friday night’s 28-6 drubbing of Newcastle – his first game in six weeks due to a foot injury.

Jacob Kiraz, Brian To’o, and Lomax are all candidates for the two wing spots, while one of Crichton or Tom Trbojevic could also figure there if squeezed out of the centres.

“Of course I want to be back there. It’s not just me, every single person that gets a phone call will be devastated if they’re not in the team,” Lomax said.

“They’ll be lying if (they say) they’re not. Everyone wants to be in that team.

“Origin is a goal that you set at the start of every year. It’s the pinnacle of footy, you want to achieve that goal. For me, I got a taste of it last year and I loved it. Everyone that’s played there just wants to go back and do it again and again.”

Latrell Mitchell. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Last year’s team

Origin III 

1 Dylan Edwards
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Bradman Best
5 Zac Lomax
6 Jarome Luai
7 Mitchell Moses
8 Jake Trbojevic (c)
9 Reece Robson
10 Payne Haas
11 Angus Crichton
12 Liam Martin
13 Cameron Murray
14 Isaah Yeo
15 Connor Watson
16 Mitch Barnett
17 Spencer Leniu

The spine

Panthers star Dylan Edwards is nearly back to top form after a groin injury hampered him early in the eason and with Penrith having the bye in Round 11, he will line up in the NSW No. 1 jersey. 

Ditto for his Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary with the star halfback is set to reunite with Wests Tigers five-eighth Jarome Luai or Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses in the halves after his strong recent comeback from foot surgery. 

Cowboys hooker Reece Robson looks like he will hold onto the No. 9 jersey despite Daley mentioning Tigers skipper Api Koroisau, Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey and versatile Roosters veteran Connor Watson as also being in the mix. Robson is likely to get the start with Watson the designated bench utility.

Blues players celebrate after winning the series 2-1. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Outside backs 

Brian To’o is a lock for one wing position, despite missing time recently with a hamstring strain.

Lomax is back in time for Origin I after a superb first campaign in the sky blue last year. He put in a strong performance in Friday’s trip to Newcastle for Parramatta to give himself an solid chance.

Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz is considered the frontrunner but is untested at Origin level. 

Tom Trbojevic has been hampered by injury again but is leading the race to be one of the two centres alongside Canterbury captain Steven Crichton, who is certain to get one spot.

Bradman Best is out of the equation due to a hamstring tear and Mitchell’s strong recent form could get him a start with Trbojevic pushed out to the wing. 

The forwards

Payne Haas is a walk-up start in the front row with Isaah Yeo a certainty at lock with Cameron Murray sidelined by a ruptured Achilles. 

Manly warhorse Jake Trbojevic is all but out of contention after copping a heavy concussion for Manly and his place was looking shaky as he has been below his best for the Sea Eagles.

Yeo shapes as the likely replacement as skipper after he led the Blues whenever he came off the bench for Trbojevic last year. 

Liam Martin and Angus Crichton will be the starting second-rowers as long as they are available.

Warriors captain Mitch Barnett and Tigers recruit Terrell May are battling it out for a starting prop spot.

Cameron Murray. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The bench

Watson’s versatility in being able to play a dummy half or as a lock is likely to earn him a start on the interchange. He could also fill in as a playmaker or in the outside backs if needed. 

Raiders powerhouse Hudson Young is a strong chance to be named on the bench as is Roosters prop Spencer Leniu if he is not elevated to the starting side himself. 

South Sydney’s Keaon Kaloamatangi, Manly powerhouse Haumole Olakau’atu, Barnett, May and Storm front-rower Stefano Utoikamanu are other options that Daley could use to bolster his pack with Canterbury’s Max King emerging as a smokey.

Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti (calf) is out.

Likely Blues team

Origin I

1 Dylan Edwards
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Tom Trbojevic 
5 Zac Lomax/Jacob Kiraz
6 Jarome Luai
7 Nathan Cleary
8 Mitch Barnett
9 Reece Robson
10 Payne Haas
11 Angus Crichton
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo (c)
14 Connor Watson
15 Hudson Young
16 Terrell May
17 Spencer Leniu