Queensland State of Origin halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has injured his ankle in Manly’s NRL clash with Canberra.

The playmaker limped from the field early in Sunday afternoon’s second half after his right ankle appeared to be caught under an Elliott Whitehead tackle.

He remained lying on the ground for almost a minute, but walked himself off the field.

The 30-year-old later returned to the bench, with Fox Sports sideline reporter Corey Parker saying Cherry-Evans told him he ‘felt something go’.

It comes as a serious scare to both Cherry-Evans and the Maroons ahead of the June 5 series opener, given the Manly playmaker is likely to be both captain and halfback.

Meanwhile the Sea Eagles are already playing without their other chief attacking threat, with Tom Trbojevic still out for another month with a hamstring tear.