Jacob Kiraz’s State of Origin dream has been dashed, with the in-form Canterbury winger set for a prolonged stint on the sideline with a calf injury.

One of the best wingers in the competition over the past six weeks, Kiraz will miss at least a month after reporting soreness following the win over Sydney Roosters.

The injury comes at the worst possible time for Kiraz, who had loomed as a genuine wing option for NSW this year.

Even had he been overlooked for the May 28 opener, there was every chance Kiraz could have featured in the series if any NSW outside back suffered an injury.

That now appears highly unlikely, given Kiraz himself is in a race against the clock to even be back on the field before the end of the series.

His injury also comes as a blow to the Bulldogs, with Kiraz having been crucial in early-set yardage for the ladder leaders this year.

The Lebanese international has topped 150 metres in five of the six games he has played this year, busting 31 tackles in the past three weeks alone.

Blake Wilson appears the most likely man to replace him.

Canterbury are one of several clubs at the pointy end of the ladder likely to have a relatively unaffected Origin period.

Stephen Crichton will likely only play one game between now and the end of round 16, but Kurt Mann will most likely be their only other representative.

Regardless, the high-flying club do have challenges in their pack, with prop Daniel Suluka-Fifita (concussion) to add to the list of outs against the Dolphins this week.

Josh Curran will be able to return from suspension on Thursday night, but fellow backrowers Jacob Preston and Sitili Tupouniua remain banned.

Lock Jaeman Salmon is also out with a foot injury until about round 20, testing the club’s depth following their 9-1 start to the year.