Injured Matt Scott to continue contract talks with Cowboys

MATT Scott has spent weeks in talks with the Cowboys and Knights about his next contract, making his suspected ACL tear especially lousy timing.

COACH Paul Green claims the Cowboys will “do the right thing’’ by off-contract Matt Scott as the prop reels from a season-ending knee injury.

Scott has spent weeks in talks with the Cowboys and Knights about his next contract, making his suspected ACL tear against Brisbane on Friday especially lousy timing.

Some media organisations have reported as a fait accompli that Scott will move to Newcastle on a three-year deal, but the Cowboys are confident the 233-game stalwart will extend his contract, which ends in October.

The transfer of Jordan McLean from Melbourne to Townsville next year does not mean the Cowboys cannot afford to retain Scott under the salary cap.

The Cowboys are awaiting a scan on Scott’s knee but fear he has a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury, but Green said the result would not affect Scott’s bargaining power or importance to the club.

“We’ll do the right thing by Thumper,’’ Green said.

Matt Scott could miss the rest of the season through injury.

“We’ll know more (about whether Scott’s season is over) when we have those scans back.

“We have a number of players who can play through the middle there (against Manly on Saturday). We’ll have a look at who’s in good form and what they can do for us.’’

The Cowboys are keen to have fullback Lachlan Coote (calf) back as soon as possible after their back-three alternatives were further hit by Antonio Winterstein’s broken forearm, also in the golden-point win over the Broncos.

Green is still to decide whether to contest Jason Taumalolo’s grade-one shoulder charge tackle, which would see him suspended for one week with an early guilty plea.

Five-eighth Michael Morgan nominated Sam Hoare and Braden Uele as young props who could help the side address the loss of Scott.

Morgan said Scott Bolton, who made his first grade debut in 2007 and has played 180 NRL games, would be the “leader’’ of the pack in Scott’s extended absence.

A serious injury would not affect Matt Scott’s bargaining power or importance to the club. Picture: Peter Wallis

“Fingers crossed for Thumper, but Scott Bolton has gone really well for us and will no doubt be a real leader in our pack,’’ Morgan said.

“Pat Kaufusi will punch out more minutes for us if Matt’s not there and he’s also a very skilful forward and very strong defensively.

“We have a couple of big guys, Sam Hoare and Braden Uele, who work hard too. It’s an opportunity for someone else to put their hand up.’’

Coote said between Javid Bowen, Kalyn Ponga and Gideon Gela-Mosby the Cowboys had the back-three depth to cover the likely loss of himself and Winterstein against visitors Manly on Saturday.

“Ben Hampton stepped up at hooker for us, but he’s definitely a good option for us as an outside back too,’’ he said.

‘‘Gideon and Ponga as well are good options if some of us are out for a while.”

Green and his sports science staff will order a conservative training week after his team’s consecutive golden-point wins over Canberra and Brisbane.