Robert Lui forced to fight for career with Cowboys planning to use Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote

ROBERT Lui is fighting for his future with coach Paul Green revealing plans to use Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote in his squad next season.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Robert Lui (L) of the Cowboys celebrates with Rory Kostjasyn after scoring a try during the NRL 1st Elimination Final match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos at 1300SMILES Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

COWBOYS pivot Robert Lui is fighting for his future with coach Paul Green revealing plans to use Michael Morgan and Lachlan Coote in his squad next season.

Coote was originally signed to replace Matt Bowen at fullback, but his season-ending knee injury last season triggered the move that saw Morgan become a smash hit in the backfield.

Now that Coote is fully fit, Green is confronting a positional dilemma and Lui is in danger of being squeezed out in a three-way battle for two starting berths.

The 24-year-old finished the 2014 campaign in electric form, but for most of the season Lui battled fitness issues and was ordered to lose weight by Green to clinch a new deal with the club.

Ultimately, Lui stripped enough kilos to secure a 12-month extension, but Morgan’s fullback brilliance and Coote’s recovery from injury is keeping the heat on the former Tigers playmaker.

Cowboys coach Paul Green, Lachlan Coote and Ray Thompson.

While not guaranteeing Morgan the No.1 jumper next season, Green confirmed he and Coote are key planks in his squad, leaving Lui facing a critical pre-season.

“Morgo and Lachlan will both be in the team somewhere, I just haven’t decided exactly where they will be,” Green said.

“I don’t think I’d play Lachlan off the bench but he’s certainly an option in the halves. Rob Lui has come back in good nick, his weight is under control, so I have some options there.

“Morgo has played a lot in the halves growing up and he has played in the centres at Queensland Cup level, so a lot will depend on form and fitness.

“There’s only a couple of guys in our side assured of a spot really ... it’s good to have a few different options and competition for places.”

Michael Morgan in action.

Green would be reluctant to shift Morgan.

While his move to fullback was only inspired by Coote’s setback, the 22-year-old was so dominant he was Queensland’s 19th man for Origin III and debuted for Australia’s PM’s XIII in October.

At his best, Lui is an NRL-quality playmaker, but the Townsville product has yet to prove he can consistently fire outside Johnathan Thurston on a week-to-week basis.

Coote, now running strongly after a knee reconstruction in February, said he would have no issues launching his Cowboys career in the No. 6 jumper.

“Fullback is my preferred spot, I’ve played most of my NRL career there, but if I did have to move to five-eighth, I wouldn’t mind that,” he said.

“I’m not too sure what ‘Greeny’ will do, he hasn’t seen too much of me at fullback, but it’s a team game and I’ll respect his call.”

Green said the Cowboys have room in the salary cap for one more purchase after the off-season acquisition of Broncos bookend Ben Hannant.

“I’m happy with my roster, but we’ve got a bit of money there,” he said.

“I’m keeping my eye out to see what comes up, clubs move players all the time so we’ll see what is available.”