North Queensland coach Neil Henry is leaving the door slightly open for representative prop Matt Scott to return from injury in the NRL clash with South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
The Queensland and Australian front-rower was not named in the Cowboys’ squad to take on Souths but Henry admitted Scott, who’s been battling a foot injury, was not completely out of the picture.
Henry would love to have Scott’s size and power against Souths’ heavyweight pack but was also adamant he won’t take any risks with his comeback so close to next month’s State of Origin series.
Scott has been out of action since tearing a ligament in the top of his foot against Cronulla late last month and had been pencilled in to return this week.
“It’s one of those injuries that can hang around for several weeks,” said Henry.
“Ash Graham’s went from four weeks to eight weeks before he was right and Matt weighs a little bit more than Ash.
“We don’t want to inflame it and risk putting him out for another month.”
Henry conceded there was a “slight possibility” Scott could play on Sunday though he hasn’t done any field running, with his rehab so far confined to treadmill work.
“He’s got a long way to go at eight kilometres an hour (treadmill) when his top speed is in the high 20s,” said Henry.
“If he becomes available later in the week and he’s comfortable with it, then sure he’d be considered for the side.”
Henry said Ashton Sims had produced his best football for the club since taking over for Scott.
“Ashton’s taken up the challenge of starting and his leadership is fantastic,” said Henry, adding Sunday’s game was a chance for the Cowboys to make a statement.
“It’s a big challenge for us, we haven’t got a good record in Sydney,” he said.
“With Greg Inglis and Nathan Merritt possibly back and young (Adam) Reynolds going pretty good in the halves they’ll be tough.
“(Issac) Luke is strong out of dummy half and with big Dave Taylor we’ll need to be on our game defensively.”
Gavin Cooper, who plays his 50th game for the Cowboys, will have the difficult task of stopping Taylor down the left edge.
“He (Taylor) is 120kgs and he’s playing some really good footy and he made his run-on debut for Australia last weekend,” said Cooper.
“He’ll probably grow another leg from that (experience) which will make it even tougher for us.”
Cooper said Merritt, named to play his first game since suffering a toe injury in February’s All Star game, would give Souths even more attack if he played.
“He’s a great attacking weapon, a great finisher, he’s good under the high ball and he’s very, very quick.”
