Johnathan Thurston says his prayers and thoughts are with Queensland and Cowboys teammate Matt Scott, who has flown home to be with his ill mother.

Scott, whose mother Diane is battling throat cancer, was an absentee when the Maroons assembled in Brisbane on Tuesday after their team for game two was announced.

Queensland will attempt to wrap up a seventh straight Origin series in Sydney on Wednesday week after winning the opening game 18-10 in Melbourne last month.

“It’s a private matter for him and his family but our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family,” said Thurston, who shares the North Queensland captaincy with close friend Scott.

Thurston’s sentiments were echoed by several other Queensland players, including Cowboys centre Brent Tate, who were aware of Scott’s difficult personal situation.

Coach Mal Meninga confirmed Scott had flown home to Longreach after the Cowboys’ loss to the Gold Coast at the weekend to be with his ill mother who has been battling cancer for several years.

“Matt has got a personal issue that he has got to go through at the moment,” said Meninga.

“He is with family at the moment and he will be until he makes his decision to come down here.”

Meninga said Scott could join the Queensland team at their Sunshine Coast base at Coolum on Thursday.

“Matt wants to play but that is all conducive on what happens with his family,” he said.

“At this stage family is first. We will let Matty go through that and make a decision later in the week.”

In the event Scott can’t play, hardman Nate Myles – man of the match in Origin I in Melbourne – will push up into the front-row with 18th man Corey Parker coming into the pack.

If that scenario unfolds, it could open the door for Canterbury fullback Ben Barba, brought into camp as Queensland’s 19th man on Tuesday, to push for an Origin debut.