St George Illawarra have announced that new signing Josh Kerr is expected to be available for Round 1 despite being pulled from the NRL All Stars fixture in New Zealand on Sunday afternoon.
Kerr and Canterbury prop Leo Thompson were both late omissions from the All Stars squad.
The prop joined the Dragons from the Dolphins over the off-season and suffered a minor ankle knock during a training session ahead of the exhibition match.
The club says the problem is small and elected to rest him as a precaution so he can be ready for the season opener in Las Vegas against the Canterbury Bulldogs in two weeks' time.
"The Dragons can confirm that Josh Kerr sustained a minor ankle injury during a training session with the Indigenous All-Stars in the lead-up to their clash in Hamilton," the club wrote.
"Whilst the injury is minor, it was decided that Kerr would not appear in the match.
"He will return to training with the club on Tuesday and be available for the side's season opener in Las Vegas."
The team will fly out to Las Vegas next weekend and will be without hooker Jacob Liddle for Round 1.
Valentine Holmes missed the Charity Shield against South Sydney in Wollongong but is expected to be available for the opening game.
Dylan Egan and Nathan Lawson remain on the club's injury list, with Egan likely to return between Rounds 8 and 10.
Lawson is projected to be fit from Round 4.