Thurston, Tonga sweat on medicals

parragirl · Thurston, Tonga sweat on medicals

By Steve Mascord | March 10, 2008 12:00am

QUEENSLAND Origin stars Johnathan Thurston and Willie Tonga are on tenterhooks as they await crucial medical appointments today.

North Queensland captain Thurston had two shoulder reconstructions over the off-season and is aiming for a round-five comeback.

The Cowboys' premiership prosects could well be on the line when the 23-year-old visits specialist John McGuire in Townsville this morning.

"Unless we're told otherwise, round five remains the time he expects to be back," Thurston's agent Sam Ayoub said last night.

Bulldogs centre Tonga, meanwhile, hopes to take on former club Parramatta at Homebush's ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. He is troubled by a knee injury.

"I'll have a look at him but the main thing is whether he is fit enough to get through the contest," Dogs doctor Hugh Hazard said.

Hazard said prop Chris Armit (pectoral muscle) was close to being fit but lock Nick Kouparitsas (ankle) and prop Charlie Leaeno would have to sit out round one.

Parramatta officials say Feleti Mateo and Brett Finch are the likely halves combination to replace Tim Smith. Also injured for Parramatta are Ben Smith (shoulder/knee), back-rower Chad Robinson (wrist) while Jarryd Hayne, Weller Hauraki and Junior Paulo have been stood down.

Aside from Thurston, another big name watching in the stands will be Melbourne five-eighth Greg Inglis (shoulder).

But Australia captain Darren Lockyer (knee) will be on hand for Brisbane against Penrith on Sunday despite missing the pre-season.

Luke Lewis (hand) is unavailable for the Panthers and centre Michael Gordon (knee) is in doubt.

Cronulla five-eighth Greg Bird (hamstring) at the weekend rated himself only a 50-50 chance of taking on Manly on Saturday night.

Winger Luke Covell (elbow) has similar odds while utility back Mitch Brown (foot) is out.

At Canberra, Tom Learoyd-Lars and Brett Kelly (both knee) will miss the trip to Newcastle.

Knights Ben Cross (wrist) and Mitchell Sargent (pneumonia) will have to content themselves with being spectators.

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