NRL: Thurston may play against Kiwis

Cowboys and Kangaroos halfback Johnathan Thurston has been ruled out for 2-3 weeks. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Johnathan Thurston has been cleared of serious injury with the North Queensland skipper ruled out for 2-3 weeks with a muscle tear in his left shoulder.

Fears the test and Queensland halfback would miss the rest of the season were quashed after scans revealed no structural damage to his surgically repaired shoulder.

The layoff means Thurston is still in contention for Australia's test against New Zealand in Melbourne next month.

Thurston landed heavily on his shoulder in the first half of his side's loss to Wests Tigers on Saturday night and after attempting to play on briefly, eventually succumbed to the injury.

"There's no structural damage, and the reconstruction to Johnathan's shoulder is all still intact," Cowboys general manager of football Dean Lance said.

"He'll be in full-time physio with Billy Johnstone, and once he's moving without pain, he'll go back to training with the main squad."

Thurston said he was determined to be fit in time for the representative season.

"I'm hoping to spend only a couple of weeks on the sideline, and hopefully get the test and Origin as well," Thurston said.

- AAP