James Tamou has a point to prove and debt to repay for the Cowboys this weekend

JAMES Tamou's stint in NRL purgatory is over with the enforcer cleared to stake his NSW Origin claims against Cronulla tomorrow night in Townsville.

James Tamou

JAMES Tamou's stint in NRL purgatory is over with the Cowboys enforcer cleared to stake his NSW Origin claims against Cronulla tomorrow night in Townsville.

In a further boost for North Queensland as they fight to salvage their season, star trio Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and Brent Tate are expected to back up following their Origin II heroics.

Tamou was fined $20,000 and hit with a two-match ban, wiping him out of Origin II, after being charged with driving drunk and unlicensed three weeks ago.

But the Test bookend can seal his return for the Origin decider with a dominant performance tomorrow night against a Sharks side rocked by the loss of skipper Paul Gallen.

But Cowboys coach Neil Henry challenged the prop to ease the strain on front-row partner Scott.

"Jimmy certainly missed that Origin game and you could see how disappointed he was being on the sideline for us against the Dragons," Henry said. "He really wanted to be out there with the boys, but he sat out and is jumping out of his skin. He's keen to get back out there and play for his club.

"He will want to make sure Laurie (Daley, NSW coach) is picking him for the right reasons and that he deserves to be in that team."

Scott was outstanding last Wednesday night, tearing through the rucks as he amassed 169m from 18 hit-ups.

The co-skipper will relish the chance to dominate the Sharks, but Henry is keen for Tamou to step up after he attracted criticism for their early-season form.

"We expect the other players will take up the load for 'Scotty'," Henry said. "We need them to play their role. We don't expect Matty Scott to play 60 minutes. He backs up fairly well but he will be under a bit of fatigue."