Queensland selectors boss Des Morris will fly to Townsville on Friday to watch prop Matt Scott’s injury comeback for North Queensland against St George Illawarra.

Despite not being named in coach Neil Henry’s original 18-man squad to face the Dragons, Scott is expected to be a late inclusion provided his foot injury does not flare up on the eve of the Dairy Farmers Stadium clash.

If Scott gets through his first game since injuring his foot in round four, he’ll be pencilled into Queensland’s front-row alongside veteran Petero Civoniceva, who’ll continue his State of Origin build-up against the physical Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.

“Two games should be enough,” said Morris, who’ll use the trip to watch other Origin hopefuls, Brent Tate, Matt Bowen and winger Ashley Graham.

Scott played down his much-awaited comeback on Thursday, refusing to declare himself a starter 20 days out from the opening Origin game in Melbourne.

But Morris has already booked a flight to Townsville, primarily to watch his return and to assess the form of Tate and Graham, who are vying for Jharal Yow Yeh’s vacant wing spot.

“I’m a good chance. I’m certainly a lot better chance of playing than I was last week,” said Scott before the Cowboys trained on Thursday.

“It will depend on how it feels on Friday morning but I’d like to think I’m a fair chance.

“It’s a bit of a fickle injury and right now I honestly can’t tell.”

As expected, Scott wasn’t keen to talk up his Origin bid with time running out.

“I just want to get some game time. I’m not even thinking about Origin at the moment,” said the 26-year-old.

“I realise it’s coming around quick but my main concern is just getting back out on the paddock.

“It’ll be a great game to come back for against the Dragons and it’s a big game for the club.”

Queensland selectors and coach Mel Meninga aren’t overly concerned by Scott’s lack of game time given his past performances in eight Origins.

While in-form Graham gets a chance to impress Morris, it would seem Tate – who’s served Queensland flawlessly in 15 Origins since 2002 and played 23 Tests – is the first choice.

Tate’s ability to jump into dummy half and make tough metres, combined with his kick-chase and kick-return games, are viewed as vital in Origin.