Veteran hooker Aaron Payne has been named in a 19-strong North Queensland squad for Friday night’s NRL knockout semi-final against Manly in Sydney despite nursing a knee injury.

However, a final verdict on the retiring Cowboys stalwart’s fitness won’t be made until later in the week.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry on Tuesday added utility Anthony Mitchell and back-rower Joel Riethmuller to the 17 that downed Brisbane 33-16 in last weekend’s NRL elimination final.

Payne had feared he had played his last game for North Queensland when he limped off the field in the 11th minute of the Cowboys’ five tries to three win over the Broncos in Townsville.

But a Cowboys statement said all 19 players named for the clash against defending champions Manly would fly out for Sydney on Thursday.

However, it added: “The Cowboys will hold off on a decision on the fitness of starting hooker Aaron Payne, who injured his knee against the Broncos, until later in the week”.

The winner of the Cowboys-Manly clash will face Melbourne in the NRL preliminary final next week.

Since 2008, the Cowboys have won only four of 25 games in Sydney.