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Harry Grant has battled a groin niggle and bout of the flu but Queensland coach Billy Slater expects him to join the squad as planned on Wednesday.

Queensland Origin coach Billy Slater expects Harry Grant to join the team as scheduled despite a running battle with injury and the flu.

The Melbourne hooker was surprisingly named in the No.14 jersey for next Wednesday's State of Origin series opener in Sydney, with regular utility Ben Hunt preferred in the No.9.

It was a nod to Hunt's fine form at Origin level, starring in their game-three win last season after being overlooked for the series opener.

But it was also an acknowledgement that Storm star Grant isn't fully over a bout of the flu and a groin niggle, two factors that have kept him in Melbourne until Wednesday.

Tom Dearden shapes as the likely replacement if he can't prove his fitness but Slater allayed concerns at a luncheon on Tuesday, saying Grant will arrive as planned at their Gold Coast camp on Wednesday.

"I just spoke to Harry before," Slater said.

"He's really keen to get in with the group. Had a run today but he's had the flu as well.

"He comes in tomorrow and he'll be fully focused. He should be out there Thursday training with us."

Regular injuries haven't hampered Grant's rise to become one of the NRL's elite No.9s, scoring the match-winning try in his Origin debut two years ago to stamp his class at the next level.

But Slater said Hunt had earned his shot in the starting side, despite the man himself not expecting it after seemingly making the No.14 his own.

"I was a bit surprised to be honest, the way Harry's been playing. I think he'll be excellent," Hunt said.

"Hopefully I can take some sting out of the game and Harry can come in and do his thing.

"It's (the bench utility role) definitely a really valuable position in Origin ... it's important to get it right."