NRL: Thurston in doubt against Panthers

Johnathan Thurston. Photo / Getty Images

North Queensland and Maroons superstar Johnathan Thurston will undergo precautionary scans on an ankle injury which has him in doubt for next weekend's NRL clash with Penrith.

The test halfback was limping after putting the Cowboys into the lead with a 58th-minute try in Saturday night's 30-10 win over the Warriors, but medical staff gave him the go-ahead to play out the rest of the game.

Thurston's ankle was put on ice straight after the match and he was excused from taking part in the team's recovery session yesterday.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry said Thurston would be in some doubt for what would be his final hit-out before Origin III on July 6.

"He's jammed that up a little bit and he'll have to have a bit of a scan done," Henry told ABC radio.

"It's precautionary. He was getting around okay this morning, but I think he'd have to be in some doubt for next weekend."

The Thurston sprained ankle was the latest in a line of injury concerns for the Cowboys, who had three starters from last week's loss to Manly ruled out.

But in a busy representative period, when the Cowboys traditionally struggled, Henry believed there was a confidence among the team that they would win, even when their depth was tested or they were behind on the scoreboard.

"I think it would have [been a problem] in the past, but I think this team's got the belief that when you put on a first-grade jumper, you do a job and they've gone on to do that," he said.

"This belief has been built on a strong home-winning record and the ability to hang in there and score points, even if down on the scoreboard.

"We've got that attitude in the club. Things are going all right.

"It's tight at the top of the competition. It's a crucial win for us to stay in that four."

Henry said the sight of senior players continuing to play, despite backing up from Origin, or carrying niggling injuries was also helping his side.

"Johnathan didn't want to come off. I asked Scotty [Matt Scott] to come off after backing up from Origin," he said.

"The boys want to be out there and finishing their game off, so it's a credit to our senior players."

Backrower Scott Bolton is unlikely to return to the line-up for next Sunday's Centrebet Stadium clash after being ruled out with a calf injury, but Newcastle recruit Cory Paterson is expected to be available for selection.

Explosive prop James Tamou, ruled out of the Warriors match with a shoulder injury, will also undergo scans this week.

- AAP