Thurston still troubled by injury

North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston admits he’s still battling to overcome injuries but says he’s a certain starter in Sunday’s NRL grand final against Brisbane.

After winning a record fourth Dally M medal on Monday night, the Cowboys halfback has turned his attention to preparing for the all-Queensland decider at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

Part of that is ensuring he recovers from a corked calf suffered in the Cowboys’ preliminary final win in Melbourne, as well as a lingering groin problem.

“I am still a bit tender from the flight and the game on the weekend but it’ll be fine come Sunday,” said Thurston at a team media session in Townsville on Tuesday.

It remains to be seen whether the Queensland and Australian playmaker will take part in the side’s open training session later in the afternoon.

However he said he would participate in their final two training sessions upon arrival in Sydney on Thursday.

“I haven’t actually spoken to the coaching staff yet about what I’ll be doing individually. But by the time I get to Sydney, I’ll be right.”

Thurston’s standing in the game continues to be debated following his record-breaking night at the Dally Ms, but he said it was important to focus on the grand final.

“I know there’s a lot of chat getting thrown about my standing in the game,” he said.

“I’ve got ways to deal with that, shift my mentality to now and focus on the task at hand.

“That’s not letting the boys down and making sure I get my preparation right.”

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