Daniel Mortimer is likely to overcome his hip injury and play in Friday night's preliminary final, but a final call won't be made until the afternoon before kick-off.
The rookie five-eighth survived Thursday afternoon's final training run at Parramatta Stadium, where he completed some limited contact drills.
Eels staffers were satisfied with Mortimer's progress, which showed improvement from Wednesday night's contribution in a ball-work session against NSW Cup feeder side Wentworthville Magpies.
Mortimer is rated a 75 per cent chance to take his place in what will be an emotional clash against the club that made his family name famous. But the final call could be left with the 20-year-old, who must consider the ramifications of going into such an important match with a pain-killing injection.
Parramatta insiders have revealed that Mortimer wants assurances from club doctor Michael Johnson about what effect an injection could have on his movement before making a decision.
Mortimer was unable to comment because of a media ban, and Eels coach Daniel Anderson also refused to discuss Thursday's hit-out. In a brief text, Anderson wrote, "Team is 1-17".
Mortimer's father Peter said he was still travelling from Orange to watch the game. "Daniel rang me after training and said he got through the session," he said.
"He's still got to make a call and I just told him, 'Do whatever your heart says'."
Should Mortimer withdraw, skilful utility Feleti Mateo will take his place in the halves with Jonathan Wright likely to come on to the bench as a replacement back.
Wright is also on standby for Krisnan Inu, who has missed the past two weeks with a hamstring injury. But it's now understood Inu is certain to make his comeback after stretching out freely at training all week.
Mortimer has been working around the clock to heal his left hip, which was badly bruised thanks to an illegal challenge from Gold Coast Titans centre Sam Tagataese last Friday.
He received a centrifugal blood injection on Monday and has been undergoing multiple daily physio sessions.
