Billy Slater's tireless recovery efforts could pay off with the Australian league fullback looking increasingly likely to return from injury in the World Cup final against New Zealand.
Slater thought his tournament was over after he suffered a recurrence of a knee injury in last week's quarter-final victory over the United States.
But the Melbourne Storm star's recovery has exceeded expectations and Kangaroos medical staff now consider it more likely than not he will be fit for this weekend's showdown at Old Trafford.
Slater would be desperate to get a chance to avenge the 2008 loss in Brisbane, where his infamous wayward pass helped the Kiwis score a shock victory.
