Penrith Panthers dummy half Mitch Kenny is expected to remain sidelined until the NRL finals as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.
Coach Ivan Cleary has often mentioned Kenny's return, but the club hasn't specified a timeline.
Initially, there were expectations that he would return before Round 23, yet as that date approaches, there's still no indication of when the seasoned hooker will make his comeback, despite being seen as a potential future captain for the Panthers.
Kenny, an integral part of Penrith's success, has been ably replaced by Freddy Lussick, who filled in after Kenny was injured during a hip drop tackle in the Round 7 match against the Dolphins.
As a result, Lussick will continue as the starting dummy half for Cleary's team for the remainder of the regular season, likely transitioning back to a bench position during the finals rounds.
The Panthers face a decision regarding Kenny's fitness, but given his crucial role in recent years, it's unlikely he would be passed over for the finals even if he isn't fit beforehand, especially with Penrith's opportunity for a double chance in the opening finals week, provided they don't falter significantly in the last five rounds.
Adding to the uncertainty, fullback Dylan Edwards is also not confirmed for this week's significant match against the New Zealand Warriors.
Final team selections will be announced at 4pm (AEST) on Tuesday afternoon.