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THE NRL's best player, Johnathan Thurston, has amazingly overcome a double shoulder reconstruction and will play for North Queensland in tomorrow night's match against Gold Coast at Skilled Park.
The Daily Telegraph understands Thurston has returned to full contact at training and will play halfback for the Cowboys.
During the off-season Thurston had two shoulder operations and was not due back to NRL football until round five or round six.
North Queensland coach Graham Murray last night did not confirm Thurston would play but did say: "He's been back in training a week.
"The specialist gave him the all-clear.
"It has been amazing what Johnathan has been able to achieve in a week."
Titans coach John Cartwright - when told of the news - said his side would certainly target Thurston.
"His return will certainly add some spice to the game," Cartwright said.
"We'd be mad not to (test him). It has been a very quick comeback from one shoulder reconstruction, let alone two.
"I doubt he would have made any tackles at training. But it will give them a psychological boost.
"He finished last year as the number one player in the world."
Punters yesterday knew of Thurston's push for an early return.
Yesterday morning, TAB Sportsbet took $54,000 on North Queensland to beat Gold Coast.
The Cowboys have tightened from $2.20 into $2.05 for the match, Gold Coast remain $1.75 favourites.
When Thurston is today officially cleared to play, North Queensland will tighten further.
TAB Sportsbet spokesman Glenn Munsie said Thurston's return would have a major impact on the NRL betting markets.
Asked about the Titans match, Munsie said: "It's now a toss of the coin game."
North Queensland remain on the second line of betting to win the premiership at $9, alongside Manly and Parramatta.
"We factored in that Thurston wouldn't play the first four games of the season," Munsie said.
"If he gets through this game, it wouldn't shock anyone that the Cowboys would become the clear second favourites behind Melbourne."
Rumours about Thurston increased late yesterday when it was revealed he had been booked to travel to the Gold Coast with his side.
"The market on this game has been up since Friday and was no interest in the game," Munsie said.
"Someone then rang the bell and everyone then wanted to be on the Cowboys. The reason North Queensland were outsiders initially was because Thurston wasn't playing."
Sportingbet Australia's Bill Richmond was another to hear the Thurston rumour yesterday afternoon.
"There was a little story that Thurston might be playing but I don't know if there is any substance to it or not but the money certainly suggests there is some chance there might be," Richmond said.
The Daily Telegraph understands Thurston has returned to full contact at training and will play halfback for the Cowboys.
During the off-season Thurston had two shoulder operations and was not due back to NRL football until round five or round six.
North Queensland coach Graham Murray last night did not confirm Thurston would play but did say: "He's been back in training a week.
"The specialist gave him the all-clear.
"It has been amazing what Johnathan has been able to achieve in a week."
Titans coach John Cartwright - when told of the news - said his side would certainly target Thurston.
"His return will certainly add some spice to the game," Cartwright said.
"We'd be mad not to (test him). It has been a very quick comeback from one shoulder reconstruction, let alone two.
"I doubt he would have made any tackles at training. But it will give them a psychological boost.
"He finished last year as the number one player in the world."
Punters yesterday knew of Thurston's push for an early return.
Yesterday morning, TAB Sportsbet took $54,000 on North Queensland to beat Gold Coast.
The Cowboys have tightened from $2.20 into $2.05 for the match, Gold Coast remain $1.75 favourites.
When Thurston is today officially cleared to play, North Queensland will tighten further.
TAB Sportsbet spokesman Glenn Munsie said Thurston's return would have a major impact on the NRL betting markets.
Asked about the Titans match, Munsie said: "It's now a toss of the coin game."
North Queensland remain on the second line of betting to win the premiership at $9, alongside Manly and Parramatta.
"We factored in that Thurston wouldn't play the first four games of the season," Munsie said.
"If he gets through this game, it wouldn't shock anyone that the Cowboys would become the clear second favourites behind Melbourne."
Rumours about Thurston increased late yesterday when it was revealed he had been booked to travel to the Gold Coast with his side.
"The market on this game has been up since Friday and was no interest in the game," Munsie said.
"Someone then rang the bell and everyone then wanted to be on the Cowboys. The reason North Queensland were outsiders initially was because Thurston wasn't playing."
Sportingbet Australia's Bill Richmond was another to hear the Thurston rumour yesterday afternoon.
"There was a little story that Thurston might be playing but I don't know if there is any substance to it or not but the money certainly suggests there is some chance there might be," Richmond said.
