The clock is ticking for Connor Watson and the Roosters on wether the 30-year-old can run out for one final game at the club in Sunday's grand final.
Questions remain over whether their utility will overcome concussion protocols which could rule him out of the contest, after a head knock ended his preliminary final before half time.
Speaking at Thursday's press conference, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said confirmation on the Gomeroi man's availability is expected in the next 18 hours, if not tonight, after a series of tests.
Watson was named in his club's line up earlier this week.
He'll need to be cleared by an independent doctor after a club-judged grade one concussion was upgraded by the independent doctor at the game, making Watson subject to the NRL's 11-day stand-down policy.
Watson has reportedly been symptom-free since the weekend.
"He had an appointment this morning that went well and he's got another one this afternoon," Robinson said, "but it's out of our hands".
"We'll get a ruling on that either tonight or tomorrow and he'll either be in or out, it's pretty simple from our end. He's got one more to do tonight."
The coach said there's good hookers on their books if needed to replace Watson, who's been a "key" to their balance in the middle of games coming off the bench.
"He's in our 17 every week for a reason..if he's out, I've got other players that'll step in that have played many games that are really clear on their role," Robinson said.
"We want him to play. He deserves to play. Whether he's fit to play will get decided by somebody else, and then we'll adapt."
If ruled out, the Watson will have played his last game for the Chooks.
A one-year stint at the Dragons comes next year before joining PNG Chiefs for their inaugural season in the national competition.
In the grand final, Newcastle are chasing the perfect end to their fairytale rise from wooden-spooners with a first premiership for the steel city in 21 years.
Indigenous stars Bradman Best, Dane Gagai, Jermaine McEwen and Dylan Lucas are set to run out for the side, with Fletcher Hunt named in the no.18 jersey.
