Injured Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah has been given the all clear to push through the pain barrier in Saturday's NRL clash against Penrith at CUA Stadium.
Scans this week revealed Farah had suffered ligament damage to his elbow but doctors advised him on Thursday he is at no great risk of aggravating the injury.
The Tigers hooker conceded he will be playing in some pain but has ruled out the use of pain killers and said he will have his elbow heavily strapped.
"It's one of those things that will be a bit uncomfortable but I'm willing to push through it and keep going at the moment," he said.
The NSW State of Origin rake said he was not contemplating sitting out any games in the future unless the injury became unbearable.
"If it does get to a point where I'm struggling out there and letting the team down, I'll sit out in the weeks ahead," he said.
"But at this stage we're willing to go out there and just plug away.
"We're not looking at any time for me to rest it in the near future."
With injuries to key players such as halfback Robert Lui, winger Taniela Tuiaki and fullback Tim Moltzen, ruled out for the season, the Tigers could hardly afford to lose Farah.
Coach Tim Sheens supported the 26-year-old's decision to play, saying he wouldn't have let him if he had any concerns it would risk ruling him out for a much longer period.
The Tigers have made one of their best starts to an NRL season with four wins from six games and are looking to turn around last week's loss to the Bulldogs.
Sheens said they could not afford to needlessly let one of their few fit playmakers sit out a match.
"We lost last week and we really wanted to commit to working hard not to lose back to back games," he said.
"Back to back games can really put a dent in you."
Scans this week revealed Farah had suffered ligament damage to his elbow but doctors advised him on Thursday he is at no great risk of aggravating the injury.
The Tigers hooker conceded he will be playing in some pain but has ruled out the use of pain killers and said he will have his elbow heavily strapped.
"It's one of those things that will be a bit uncomfortable but I'm willing to push through it and keep going at the moment," he said.
The NSW State of Origin rake said he was not contemplating sitting out any games in the future unless the injury became unbearable.
"If it does get to a point where I'm struggling out there and letting the team down, I'll sit out in the weeks ahead," he said.
"But at this stage we're willing to go out there and just plug away.
"We're not looking at any time for me to rest it in the near future."
With injuries to key players such as halfback Robert Lui, winger Taniela Tuiaki and fullback Tim Moltzen, ruled out for the season, the Tigers could hardly afford to lose Farah.
Coach Tim Sheens supported the 26-year-old's decision to play, saying he wouldn't have let him if he had any concerns it would risk ruling him out for a much longer period.
The Tigers have made one of their best starts to an NRL season with four wins from six games and are looking to turn around last week's loss to the Bulldogs.
Sheens said they could not afford to needlessly let one of their few fit playmakers sit out a match.
"We lost last week and we really wanted to commit to working hard not to lose back to back games," he said.
"Back to back games can really put a dent in you."
