Shortage of troops a concern for Payten

TODD Payten has revealed the extent of injuries in his outside backs, with a veteran facing a week to week wait before making his return.

The Cowboys coach admitted his side was “thin on the ground”, following the exit of Esan Marsters and injuries to Justin O’neill and Hamiso Tabuai-fidow.

In their places, Connelly Lemuelu and Javid Bowen have assumed their spots in the three-quarter line.

The pair have impressed Payten since coming into the side, both for their resilience and determination to prove they belong in the NRL.

However they will face the truest test of their credentials this week against Roosters duo Josh Morris and Joey Manu, in North Queensland’s first challenge against a genuine top four outfit since their round one shutout against Penrith.

Tabuai-fidow is expected to return in two weeks, having sustained an ankle injury against Wests Tigers.

O’neill’s case, however, is a different beast.

The former Origin star has begun to show the wear of a lengthy career, with his knees degenerating and needing constant day to day management. Payten said O’neill’s current concern was not related to his long term issues, rather it was bone bruising that made it difficult to lock in a return date.

But given the 29-year-old is off contract at the end of 2021, he will be seeking to get back on the field sooner rather than later, having already been dropped to the Townsville Blackhawks this year.

“I think Hamiso is maybe another fortnight away, he was moving pretty quick but I don’t know if that was third or fourth gear for him,” Payten said.

“Juzzie is a different thing, we have to sit back and wait – it’s bone bruising, it can heal quick or take its time.

“Juzzie’s had a degenerative knee for quite a while now, so we manage him every week more or less. This injury was a direct knock, which caused the bone bruising, it wasn’t related to the difficulties he can have from week to week.

“We don’t need to rush that, but we are thin on the ground.”