Gold Coast prop Ryan James doesn’t believe being overlooked for this week’s two-day NSW State of Origin camp in Sydney is the end of his Blues’ ambitions.

James was the Blues’ 18th man throughout the 2018 series, earning praise for his selfless attitude throughout despite not getting a chance to debut.

This year’s series was a write-off after damaging his ACL early in the year, an injury which has probably played a factor in him not being invited to join the Blues’ camp on Thursday and Friday.

With his rehab well underway and a return to full contact training after Christmas looming, James is eager to push his case for a NSW call-up in 2020.

“Yeah 100 per cent. Matty Prior came in this year at 30-something years of age,” James said.

“I’m only 28 now, coming into my 11th season of first grade and I always think there’s a possibility of pulling on that sky blue jersey, it’s just going out there and proving your worth.”

Coach Brad Fittler has extended an invitation to every player who played for the Blues in 2019 as well as those tipped to contend for jerseys next year and in series to come.

The Emerging and Future Blues will assemble at the Blues’ Centre of Excellence on Thursday with senior players to arrive on Friday.

Latrell Mitchell is not expected to join the camp while 2019 player of the series and Mitchell’s Sydney Roosters teammate James Tedesco will also not attend.

Having come so close to making his Origin debut, James says it remains a key ambition in his career.

“It’s always been an aspiration of mine to pull on that jersey,” he said.

“I probably wouldn’t feel fulfilled unless I did over my footy career.

“It’s something I’m always striving towards and hopefully one day I’ll be able to pull it on.”