North Queensland have declared that prop Matt Scott should be fit to take on Melbourne in Townsville on Friday night.
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Scott limped from the field in the Cowboys loss to South Sydney last week, prompting fears he could miss up to six weeks and Queensland's State of Origin campaign.
However he avoided needing scans as the Cowboys' fear over a medial ligament tear subsided, and he trained with the club ahead of Friday's clash.
"He got through it alright. If he just pulls up well tomorrow he should be right to go," Cowboys coach Paul Green said.
"There is always a risk I suppose. But it's not his first rodeo. He's got a fair idea of what he needs to be able to do to get his job done.
"You need your best players especially against good teams like the Storm."
Scott's fitness is timely not just for his Origin chances in the grand final rematch.
The Cowboys are struggling with just three wins from their opening 11 games, meaning they can likely only afford to drop another three this year if they wish to make the finals.
Green was not willing to buy into the drama surrounding rival coach Craig Bellamy and his approach from Brisbane on Thursday, and was instead more concerned about the fact his team's last five losses have come by 12 points or less.
Also crucial for Green is his team's last tackle plays.
The Cowboys give the fourth most 20-metre taps of any team in the competition from kicks, while it was also a concern in last week's last-minute loss to the Rabbitohs.
Johnathan Thurston and Te Maire Martin's kicking game will take on even more importance this week, given the dangers of Storm wingers Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr when they receive the ball in open space.
"Our kicking game needs to improve from last week," Green said.
"Where we're giving them the ball is really important with their wingers.
"I was happy in a lot of areas in our game last week and we need to hang onto that. An area for us to improve is definitely our kicking options and our last-tackle plays."
STATS THAT MATTER:
* The Cowboys have lost their last seven straight against Melbourne.
* This is North Queensland's worst start to a season since 2010.
* Melbourne have won 11 of their last 13 in Queensland.
Stats: Fox Sports Stats
Australian Associated Press
