A deadline is looming as North Queensland sweats on off-contract fullback Matt Bowen’s fate.

But Cowboys coach Neil Henry says he is keeping his fingers crossed the livewire No.1 remains a one-club player.

Reports linking 31-year-old Bowen to rival NRL clubs were dismissed as “rumours” by Henry on Tuesday.

However, Henry admits his club will need to decide on what to do with Bowen sooner rather than later – especially once the veteran flyer’s manager begins fielding genuine offers.

The Cowboys are in a “holding pattern” as they monitor Bowen on a modified training program before deciding whether to offer him a contract for a 14th NRL season.

Bowen – the 2012 Dally M runner-up – has failed to bounce back to his best after pre-season shoulder surgery but his reconstructed knees are also causing concern.

Asked if they had a deadline, Henry said: “It’s building – we will have to see in the next few weeks.

“We haven’t put a definite timeframe on it but obviously, if his manager is fielding other offers, then a decision will need to be made.”

However, Henry said their decision would be made a lot easier if Bowen made a habit of his outstanding display in North Queensland’s 12-8 last-round loss to Sydney Roosters.

Bowen racked up 158 metres overall including 75m in kick returns in a sparkling 80-minute effort.

“That’s how we need to see him each week,” Henry said.

“Physically, he can do that. Whether or not he can sustain it …”

But Henry added: “All we know is that he is part of the fabric of this club and has been since around 2000.

“We are hopeful that he stays.

“I think everyone would like to think that Matty would be a one-team player and finish his career here.”

Henry on Tuesday added forwards Ricky Thorby and Jason Taumalolo to an extended bench for Friday night’s Leichhardt Oval clash with Wests Tigers.

But he did not rule out injecting them into the starting line-up for “more punch”.

Robert Lui will line up against his former club after retaining the Cowboys No.7 jersey thanks to an impressive return from injury against the Roosters.

The Cowboys (11th; 4-6 record) hope to break a two-game losing run against the lowly Tigers (last; 2-8).

“Hopefully, that is a bit of motivation for him,” Henry said of Lui taking on the Tigers.

“It’s always a hostile crowd there. And they will have their backs against the wall.

“But we have to match that enthusiasm – it needs to be a desperate game for us, too.”