NSW hopeful Latrell Mitchell is set to miss South Sydney's last game before teams are picked for the State of Origin decider after appearing to tweak his back injury at training.
The superstar centre did not participate in Monday's field session after warm-ups in a big blow to his hopes of a NSW recall for game three on July 8.
Mitchell stretched and performed light drills with the team before leaving the pitch at Heffron Park with a trainer, removing his wrist strapping tape as he went.
The 29-year-old had told Fox League on Sunday night that he was "pushing" to play in round 17, pending the back injury that has sidelined him since round nine.
Souths had initially expected Mitchell would recover within a fortnight and be fit for the State of Origin series opener.
