Michael Morgan racing against time to be fit for grand final replay as

TODD Carney could learn his NRL fate next week while the Cowboys sweat on star five-eighth Michael Morgan’s return for next week’s grand final rematch.

NQ Cowboys training at 1300 Smiles Stadium. Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan. Picture: Evan Morgan

TODD Carney could learn his NRL fate next week while the Cowboys sweat on star five-eighth Michael Morgan’s return for next week’s grand final rematch.

Morgan has been ruled out of the Queensland derby against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium after failing to overcome an abdominal strain.

The hero of North Queensland’s fairytale finals run last year, Morgan is yet to feature in this year’s NRL premiership after picking up the injury after the pre-season trials.

The 26-year-old was close to proving his fitness for the Broncos clash, however the Cowboys have opted to rest him given they have a six-day turnaround before Thursday’s showdown with the Storm in Melbourne.

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Kiwi Test playmaker Te Maire Martin will get another opportunity to partner with halfback Johnathan Thurston in what could be the Maroon great’s last playing appearance in Brisbane tonight.

Cowboys coach Paul Green said he was “pretty confident” Morgan would be available for the Storm game at AAMI Park, which will be the first proper meeting between the 2017 grand finalists.

“He was pretty close but he hadn’t improved enough,” he said.

“If he did play, he probably would have taken a fair while to get over the game. That’s the nature of the injury.

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“At this stage we don’t want to take that risk. An injury like this can hang around all season and we want to avoid that if we can.

“(Martin) did a great job for us (last week). That was the first time he’s played with Johnno in the halves, so that combination will get better.

“He will be better for the run last week. In saying that, he was pretty good for us also.”

Morgan’s absence has further highlighted why the Cowboys are keen to bring Carney back to the NRL.

Carney could be a Cowboy by this time next week.

North Queensland lodged a one-year contract for Carney with the NRL last week and are awaiting a response from the league.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg and second-in-charge Nick Weeks have been in New Zealand this week and are yet to assess Carney’s application.

The 2010 Dally M champion has been sacked by three clubs and played the last of his 166 NRL games in 2014 before he was infamously photographed urinating in his own mouth.

Green said the Cowboys were yet to receive any feedback from the NRL on Carney’s registration application.

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“It’s a touchy subject, there is a lot to consider,” he said.

“There is a process to go through. I’m sure they will be in contact when the time’s right.”

Carney, 31, has been named at five-eighth for the Northern Pride’s clash against reigning Intrust Super Cup premiers Papua New Guinea in Cairns on Saturday.