Paul Green says no one at the Cowboys expects Michael Morgan to be the next Johnathan Thurston

PAUL Green have moved to relieve the pressure by saying no one at the Cowboys expects Michael Morgan to be the next Johnathan Thurston.

PAUL Green says no one at the Cowboys expects Michael Morgan to be the next Johnathan Thurston.

The North Queensland coach came out in defence of his young playmaker on Tuesday, with the skilled five-eighth under pressure to step up for the Cowboys while Thurston is sidelined with a calf injury.

Morgan has this week been named in Thurston’s No. 7 jersey but revealed over the weekend that he does not see himself as a natural halfback and is not keen to follow in his teammate’s footsteps.

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Michael Morgan is under some scrutiny. Picture: Evan Morgan

Green said he put Morgan at halfback for this week’s meeting with Newcastle because it was “pretty much” the role he played against the Dragons last week.

But he also made it clear that just because Morgan has that decorated jumper on his back, it does not mean anyone expects him to be just like Thurston.

“The reality is no one will replace Johnathan Thurston,” Green said.

“Whoever we get in and is wearing the No. 7 it will be unfair for us or anyone else to compare him to what Johnno’s done.

“It’s important that person feels comfortable just being himself and bringing to the team whatever he can bring to the team.

“It’s fraught with danger whenever there’s talk around trying to replace a guy of someone like Johnno’s stature.

“For Morgo, he’s a local kid, a very talented player and when people put things into his head about replacing Johnathan Thurston, it’s not beneficial for anyone.”

With Morgan playing halfback, John Asiata will wear the No. 6 jersey.

The only other change the Cowboys have made is to accommodate the return of winger Antonio Winterstein from a broken arm, with Gideon Gela-Mosby dropping out of the 21-man squad.

Green said that fullback Lachlan Coote is also not far away returning from a calf injury, but the club did not want to risk him this weekend. This means stand-in No. 1 Kalyn Ponga will come up against his future club on Saturday.

Green said however that he does not expect the teen sensation to be distracted by playing against the Knights.

“I don’t think that will worry him too much,” Green said. “He’s got enough on his plate to worry about at the moment.

Originally published as Paul Green says no one at the Cowboys expects Michael Morgan to be the next Johnathan Thurston