Clifford’s not fit for fight

COWBOYS halfback Jake Clifford has been ruled out of tonight’s clash with Penrith after failing to train this week.

The young half picked up an ankle injury during the side’s loss to Newcastle last weekend.

John Asiata has been shifted into the halves for the clash at 1300SMILES Stadium with Tongan steamroller Jason Taumalolo moved into starting lock. Taumalolo still remains a touch-and-go prospect for the game with the Cowboys waiting until an hour before the clash to make a final call.

Blackhawks duo Tom Gilbert and Corey Jensen are on standby as 18th and 19th men, with Gilbert likely to come in after not being named for the Queensland Cup tomorrow.

Taumalolo took part in the club’s final training run yesterday after he missed last week’s shellacking at the hands of the Knights. He had sustained a partial tear to his plantar fascia, the tissue that runs the length of the foot.

Cowboys coach Paul Green described the injury as particularly painful, and suggested it remained unclear if Taumalolo would take the field.

He would be a massive inclusion for the home side as they aim to put respect back into the jersey against a Panthers side playing for their finals hopes.

“We will see. He trained (yesterday) but we are not going to take any silly risks with him either. We will see how he pulls up,” Green said.

“He was out there for most of (the Captain’s Run). It is just more about whether he can manage the pain.”

Coen Hess has shifted to the bench after playing in the centres over the past month.

Jordan Kahu will take his spot at left centre with young gun Murray Taulagi earning a recall to the top squad.

“(Hess) plays back in a role he is more comfortable in, but in saying that he has done a good job under the circumstances,” Green said.

“Last week wasn’t a great day out for him, but he is back where he is more comfortable.”