SYDNEY - The Kangaroos are expecting to depart for the Four Nations tournament fully intact, with the squad's injury concerns confident they will breeze through today's final medical.
Nathan Hindmarsh (shoulder), Billy Slater (hip), Brett White (shoulder) and Kurt Gidley (calf) are all expecting to receive a final clearance
to leave for London as part of the 24-man squad on Friday.
Second-rower Hindmarsh has already received Parramatta's blessing to make his return to representative football despite needing shoulder surgery, which he will now undergo on his return from the UK and France.
"I'm out here in my garden, just top-dressing the lawn, cleaned the pool today," the 30-year-old told AAP on Monday.
"I'm feeling good. I'm very confident that I will pass whatever test they have for me."
Hindmarsh is confident he would be able to play in Australia's first match, against world champions New Zealand in London on October 24, without pain-killers if he was picked.
"I should be past that point but we'll find out tomorrow [Tuesday]," he said.
"I'll be able to play but whether or not I'm in the test starting 17 is another story."
A source at Melbourne said fullback Slater's hip problem was minor, while prop Brett White was also confident after Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens had declared there was no room for players carrying injuries.
White saw a specialist last Thursday who indicated the NSW representative would have no problem getting through the medical.
Like Hindmarsh, White will need some "repair work" after the four-week tournament, which also features England and France, but should be right for the start of the Storm's premiership defence.
Utility Kurt Gidley declared himself a certainty, saying he had fully overcome a minor calf strain picked up in the opening week of the NRL finals when his Newcastle side was eliminated by the Bulldogs.
"I did the whole session the other day and looked after it when I got back for the weekend and then did the same session in Newcastle yesterday so I'm feeling good," Gidley told AAP on Monday.
"I didn't get to train in one or two of the sessions with the train-on squad.
"I did have to look after it, but as soon as I got through that session last Wednesday I knew it was going to be pretty good."
The trip will be 27-year-old Gidley's first as a Kangaroo tourist as he looks to add to his tally of four tests, all against New Zealand.
He is also keen to wipe the memory of last year's World Cup, where he missed all but the first game with a knee injury.
"It's probably the most excited I've been playing for Australia, I haven't been on a tour overseas," Gidley said.
"I had a disappointing end to the World Cup last year, after one game getting injured, but certainly I'm excited about this Four Nations."
Australia, who have already lost giant winger/centre Israel Folau, return to camp on today and fly out for the tournament on Friday.
- AAP
Kangaroos forward Nathan Hindmarsh has to pass a fitness test before being cleared to play in the Four Nations. Photo / Getty Images
SYDNEY - The Kangaroos are expecting to depart for the Four Nations tournament fully intact, with the squad's injury concerns confident they will breeze through today's final medical.
Nathan Hindmarsh (shoulder), Billy Slater (hip), Brett White (shoulder) and Kurt Gidley (calf) are all expecting to receive a final clearance
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