Nicho Hynes has been cleared to face South Sydney, in a crucial boost to Cronulla's bid to avoid any lingering effects of 28,000km of travel in the past month alone.
Spotted with ice on his leg after last week's win over North Queensland, Hynes did not train with the Sharks earlier this week as he battled a cork above his left knee.
But the halfback was able to move freely through a full session on Thursday, and is expected to have no issue running or kicking against the Rabbitohs.
"He's OK, he's fine. He trained fully yesterday," Fitzgibbon said.
"It was just a cork, he's fine."
Fitzgibbon believes Hynes and Braydon Trindall are striking the right balance in the halves.
Trindall is touching the ball and kicking more often than he did at this point last year, with Fitzgibbon arguing the pair have the right flexibility in their game.
"I thought they were stronger last week. We had a better balance to the game," Fitzgibbon said.
"The kicking, sometimes the balance there is a little different depending on when we want to kick and what side.
"Sometimes Tricky (Trindall) will kick more and sometimes Hynes, depending on what we want to go with there.
"But I thought they played pretty well together as far as a combination goes."
Fitzgibbon also confirmed props Tom Hazelton (back) and Toby Rudolf (shoulder) were on track to return in the next few weeks.
But more than anything, the Sharks are relieved to be home for only their second day game at PointsBet Stadium since last May.
Of all four Las Vegas teams, Cronulla have had the toughest schedule with a trip to Townsville last week following their return home from America.
Several cases of COVID-19 and influenza have also been added to the mix, with both viruses seemingly spreading on the flight back from the USA.
Coaches from last year's Las Vegas trip have privately pointed to rounds three and four being the most difficult, given the comedown and impacts of travel on training.
Manly were particularly poor in both games during that fortnight, while Brisbane, Souths and the Sydney Roosters each had slow starts to 2024.
"Well the travel is over so we can only face what's in front of us," Fitzgibbon said.
"We've had a more normal week in a health sense. Obviously players get knocked around each week but the health has been much improved.
"That's done. We're just prepared for this game.
"There's nothing more important to us than getting right for this week and putting in a strong performance. So only time will tell whether the travel had an impact or not."
