League: Thurston heads Kangaroos withdrawals

Johnathan Thurston. Photo / Getty Images

Australian halfback Johnathan Thurston is one of four players to be ruled out of the Kangaroos train-on squad for next month's Four Nations rugby league tournament.

Thurston's ankle injury has failed to recover in time, while Michael Jennings, Manly skipper Jamie Lyon and Gold Coast forward Mark Minichiello were also forced to withdraw following medical examinations in Sydney today.

Like Thurston, Jennings and Lyon both have ankle injuries, while Minichiello picked up a groin strain in the Titans' NRL finals loss to the Sydney Roosters last Friday night.

The West Tigers contingent in the train-on squad were at today's gathering at Redfern Oval, but were excused from official training duties.

- AAP