NSW State of Origin chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy has left the door open for Jamie Lyon to make a return to the Blues if the Manly centre's form warrants it.
Lyon failed in an application to be exempt from representative football because he did not satisfy the criteria of 10 years playing in the NRL.
The ruling means the 27-year-old could be stood down for Manly games if selected for NSW but withdraws for reasons other than injury.
Lyon was not selected for last year's series after indicating he preferred life outside the Origin spotlight.
Coach Craig Bellamy said at the time he was not interested in picking players who were not committed to the cause.
The same could occur this year, but McCarthy said the past would not count against Lyon.
The former Test star is currently sidelined with a knee injury but has been named by coach Des Hasler to play in Sunday's home game against Wests Tigers.
''He's got to get on the field before we even start looking at him,'' McCarthy said.
The Blues could be in need of Lyon's services after the defection of superstar centre Mark Gasnier to French rugby union.
''There's a big hole there with Gasnier out,'' McCarthy said.
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