Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce is expected to request to be disregarded for this year's State of Origin so he can focus on rehabilitation and commitments to his team.

Pearce, who's just returned from an eight-week suspension, has told family and those involved in the club he doesn't want to play for the New South Wales Blues because he's focusing on rehab.

After only returning to the game last week after being banned for a lewd video involving a dog, he also wanted to make up for a sense of having let the team down, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Mitchell Pearce in action for the Blues during State of Origin II against the Queensland Maroons at the MCG in Melboure in 2015. He's asked to be passed over for selection for the team this year so he can focus on rehabilitation and focus on his team, the Roosters

SW Blues' Mitchell Pearce takes part in a training session at ANZ Stadium in Sydney in May 2015

Pearce was banned for eight weeks after an lewd incident involving a dog (pictured) which was caught on camera. He also went into rehabilitation after the incident

Pearce (pictured) only recently made a return to playing for the Roosters after an eight-week ban. He wants to be passed up for State of Origin selection so he can focus on commitments to the Roosters

But a rule stating players can't stand down for one season might prevent him from doing so, as he'd have to stop playing State of Origin permanently.

Pearce feels spending time being involved with Origin would be detrimental to the Roosters, according to the report.

His desire to focus on rehabilitation was repeated by Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who said it was 'at a very important stage'.

'This is a long healing process and Mitchell does not want his progress affected by more change,' the Telegraph quoted him as saying.

'This process is not over just because he’s come back to footy. There’s a long way to go.'

Robinson said he thought Pearce could be 'one of the great halfbacks of Origin', but needed time to 'get back on track'.

His team hope Origin coach Laurie Daley and New South Wales Rugby League let him sit out the season.

Pearce in action for the Roosters during the round nine NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights on April 30