Thurston relief for Cowboys

The North Queensland management have breathed a sigh of relief after it emerged that Jonathan Thurston’s shoulder injury is less serious than first feared.

Thurston left the field midway through the second half of the Cowboys’ 23-16 defeat against Wests Tigers on Saturday.

There were fears that Thurston could miss a large chunk of the NRL season and possibly test and origin matches after injuring his left shoulder.

But scans have revealed that Thurston’s has sustained a muscle tear, rather than a more serious dislocation.

He is expected to miss between two and three weeks.

“There’s no structural damage, and the reconstruction to Johnathan’s shoulder is all still intact,” Cowboys General Manager 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 is very pleased with the result and will now work towards getting strength back in his shoulder to be fit for a return to the NRL and upcoming representative selection.
 
“I’m hoping to spend only a couple of weeks on the sideline, and hopefully get the Test and Origin as well,” Thurston said.