Laybutt in frame for Thurston spot
tear, Thurston could miss at least two weeks of game time.
This will mean the Cowboys will have to make a decision on how they cover his absence, with the current combo of Michael Morgan and John Asiata not working.
With fullback Lachlan Coote and hooker Jake Granville chances to return this week from injuries, Green will would look at all options.
One of those options is young Townsville half Laybutt, who yesterday starred for the Queensland Residents in their defeat of NSW.
Laybutt was a contender to replace Thurston when he suffered a calf injury early last month but Asiata got in.
His chance to make his NRL debut could come again this week, however, with Green confirming the 21year-old is in the mix.
“There’s a lot of different guys in different positions all due to come back over the next few weeks,” he said.
“It depends a lot on who is fit and who’s not.
“Kyle will come into the mix there but it does depend on other positions.”
The reason Laybutt missed out on his debut last month was because he was battling a knee injury.
But he said there were no fitness concerns now and he was ready for the next step.
“I’ll take it, definitely,” he said. “It would be an honour to play for the Cowboys.
“I put my best foot forward (yesterday) so I just have to hope for the best now.
“The knee is holding up and I’m confident.
“When they put a frontrower (Asiata) in, it was a bit disappointing.
“But (Green) took me in to his office and explained it and I came out confident knowing I could be in there given the chance.”
Green would not comment on Thurston yesterday said the co-captain went to an afternoon training session.
He also could not confirm whether Coote or Granville were a chance of returning.
Meanwhile, forward Patrick Kaufusi is battling a foot injury suffered while playing for Tonga and is a “wait and see” case ahead of Thursday.