Dylan Edwards in massive development after Origin setback ahead of Nathan Cleary return

Dylan Edwards and the Panthers have been granted a huge boost with scans revealing the fullback could be back in just two weeks as Penrith fans welcome back Nathan Cleary in round 20. Edwards was the player-of-the-match against the Maroons on Wednesday having outperformed rival No.1 Reece Walsh across the State of Origin series.

Edwards made 27 runs for 243 metres in Origin Game 3, breaking seven tackles in a brilliant display at the back. It came after the Panthers fullback scored a try and was equally as good on debut in Origin Game 2, which vindicated Michael Maguire's call to axe long-time captain James Tedesco.

Unfortunately, Edwards hurt his knee in the first half at Suncorp and bravely played through the injury for his state. He could be seen with strapping on the right knee after half-time. Initial thoughts was Edwards could miss four to six weeks with a PCL tear and would return for the Panthers just before finals footy.

This would have been a tough blow for the Panthers who were only welcoming back Cleary in round 20. However, the Panthers and Edwards have been given some great news with the fullback only set to miss a couple of weeks after it was deemed his injury wasn't overly serious.

Scans confirmed Edwards didn't tear his PCL, but most likely suffered a sprain. Edwards could be eyeing a return against the Eels, which would see him link-up with halfback Cleary for the first time since round 10. Dane Laurie is expected to play fullback while Edwards is injured.

While Edwards might miss a few weeks for the Panthers, it comes after the fullback proves all doubters wrong and led the Blues to a famous series win. "We had a great bunch of boys who really ripped in tonight, came here to do our state proud and our families proud and I hope we did that," Edwards said after the match.

"We got a couple of tries late but the scoreline for a lot of that was really tight and no team was giving an inch. I thought both teams played it in the Origin spirit with a lot of intensity but believing in the long game and believing in each other got us home."

Nathan Cleary to return against the Dolphins

In Edwards' absence, all eyes are on the return of mercurial halfback Cleary. The Panthers No.7 re-injured his hamstring against the Bulldogs earlier this year and hasn't played footy for 10 weeks. This saw him ruled out of Origin. However, with a number of the Panthers representatives rested after Origin, Cleary will return to lead the team.

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While many fans can't wait for the return of arguably the game's best player, coach Ivan Cleary has suggested he will be eased back into the competition. "We've left no stone unturned. We've changed a few things, but haven't thrown out anything either," Ivan Cleary said on Tuesday. "Definitely around some kicking loads.

"Other than that, he's just been doing some stuff behind the scenes strengthening it. He understood from when he did it, he wanted to make sure he wanted to tick every box on the way back. Now he's done that, he's pretty hungry."