Johnathan Thurston believes Te Maire Martin is the man to partner Michael Morgan

Jake Clifford and Te Maire Martin are both in line to replace Johnathan Thurston, but the retired Queensland great has revealed who he thinks is the best fit in the halves.

NRL Nth Qld Cowboys v New Zealand Warriors, 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Te Maire Martin.

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Johnathan Thurston has declared Te Maire Martin is the right man to partner Michael Morgan in the halves next year, as the race to clinch a Cowboys starting spot heats up.

North Queensland returned for pre-season training last week, with star playmaker Morgan to join them from Monday in his return from a season-ending biceps injury.

One of the biggest question marks hovering over the Cowboys ahead of season 2019 is who will replace the now-retired Thurston in the halves alongside Morgan.

Young gun Jake Clifford emerged last season as a strong contender, playing six NRL games in his debut year.

Martin has been with the Cowboys for 18 months. Picture by Evan Morgan.

But Thurston believes it is Kiwi international Martin who will be the best fit for the Cowboys, especially with new recruit Ben Barba expected to slot in at fullback.

“With Ben Barba at the club, Te Maire Martin will be first choice to partner Morgo in the halves,” Thurston said.

“It will be nice if in the early part of the year we can get settled on a nine, seven, six and one. Last season was hard because there were a lot of changes.

“(Martin) is a real footballer. He’s a bit like (Cronulla back) Val Holmes where things just happen around him. He knows how to find the tryline and has great vision. He knows how to read a play.

“He’s a natural footballer. That will help take the pressure off Morgo. He’s not afraid to call the shots.”

Martin could start the season at five-eighth.

Martin and Clifford will go head-to-head in the battle for the remaining halves spot over the pre-season, with the Cowboys on a mission to respond strongly to a disappointing 2018 season.

Widely tipped as pre-season premiership favourites, North Queensland failed to deliver Thurston a fairytale farewell to the game and finished in 13th place.

They have recruited strongly in a bid to bounce back in 2019 and Thurston also revealed last week that he will mentor the club’s halves over the next 12 months.

This appointment certainly boosts Martin’s chances of claiming that halves spot if Thurston thinks he is the natural successor.

The Queensland and Australian great still believes however that 20-year-old Clifford has a bright future ahead.

Jake Clifford could spend another season in reserve grade.

He said he just expects him to spend more time in the Intrust Super Cup with the Northern Pride next year before he becomes a regular first-grader.

“Jake Clifford finished this year off strongly and he’ll be looking to build on that,” Thurston said.

“I have no doubt he has a big future ahead of him at the club. I’m sure he learnt a lot in those six games that he played.

“There’s no doubt he will want to start the year off strongly and that he’ll want to have a really good pre-season … he’ll want to prove to the coaching staff that he’s ready, whether he gets the opportunity to start or not.”

Thurston, who will also be an ambassador for the Cowboys, said he will sit down with the club’s head of football Peter Parr to discuss his mentoring role.

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