Queensland half-back Cooper Cronk has been ruled out of next week's State of Origin game two clash in Melbourne due to a knee injury.

Initially believed to have avoided serious injury, Cronk is expected to miss up to a month after scans on Monday revealed a low grade meniscus tear in his right knee.

Controversial Manly playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans is expected to wear the Maroons number seven jersey when the Queensland team for Origin II on June 17 is unveiled in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Cronk suffered a knee complaint late in Melbourne's 20-0 NRL win over Penrith on Saturday night but appeared to have avoided a lengthy sideline stint when he pulled up well the next day.

However, Cronk was ordered to undergo scans when his knee felt worse on Monday.

"Scans this morning revealed the extent of the injury with Cronk to undergo surgery on Tuesday morning," a Storm statement said.

"After pulling up well on Sunday morning and medical staff confident the injury would respond well to treatment during the week, Cronk woke on Monday morning with the knee feeling worse and was sent for scans.

"Playing any further would put Cronk at risk of further damaging his knee, hence the decision to have surgery and repair the tear was decided as the best course of action."

The Melbourne playmaker broke his arm in the first match of the 2014 Origin series, which Queensland lost for the first time in nine years. He returned for game three which the Maroons won 32-8.

The number seven was the match-winner for the Maroons in game one, kicking the deciding field goal in Queensland's 11-10 victory.

Although Brisbane number seven Ben Hunt has also staked a strong claim to replace Cronk, Queensland coach Mal Meninga is expected to name Cherry-Evans as halfback and Cowboys strike weapon Michael Morgan as bench utility in his Maroons team on Tuesday.

Meanwhile News Corp is reporting that Andrew Fifita is set to be dropped from the New South Wales squad to make way for returning captain Paul Gallen.

Canterbury full-back Brett Morris will play against St George Illawarra on Monday afternoon to make his bid for inclusion in the Blues' Origin II squad.

AAP/ABC