Penrith's healthy NRL ladder position will ensure the Panthers can afford to play the waiting game on Nathan Cleary's return from a shoulder injury.
Cleary sat out his fifth-straight match as the Panthers bounced back from last weekend's loss to Melbourne with a 20-14 win over the Sydney Roosters in Brisbane on Saturday.
While coach Ivan Cleary is happy with the progress the halfback is making in his rehabilitation, he insists his 23-year-old will only return when he's properly ready to do so.
"He got closer again this week. I know he's very keen to play and he's doing really well but it's just one of those things where it's a bit of feel as well," he said.
"He's got to be confident. We've got to be more confident.
"Luckily we've got enough wins in the bank where we can be a little bit more selective.
"We'll just go through the same thing next week. I'm sure we'll make the right call."
The Panthers coach had previously cited Reed Mahoney's comeback from a similar shoulder injury as an example of how it can be done.
However, the Parramatta hooker was left in tears on Friday night after re-injuring the joint during a big loss to South Sydney on the Gold Coast, with the prospect of season-ending surgery now looming.
Cleary said Mahoney's unfortunate setback is unlikely to affect his own club's approach towards his son's return.
"The fact is there is potential for re-injury and it's just a fact," the Panthers coach said.
"But through smart management, and a bit of luck, we feel pretty good that it'll be OK."
