MICHAEL Morgan will return to the halves for the North Queensland Cowboys this weekend in a move which could spell trouble for playmaker Robert Lui.

With the absence of co-captain Johnathan Thurston, Morgan will partner Lui for the trial match against the Brisbane Broncos in Mackay on Saturday.

Morgan was manufactured into a fullback last season following serious injury to Lachlan Coote, who will line up in the No.1 jumper in his first game back from a knee reconstruction.

Despite a solid finish to the 2014 season, Lui is now under immense pressure to retain his place after being criticised for his weight and poor form for most of last year.

NRL TEAMS FOR WEEKEND TRIALS

“It’s just all about getting Lachlan some game time,” coach Paul Green said.

“He’s returning from a serious knee injury so we want to get him some time on the field in an actual game and see how he goes.”

Ray Thompson appears to have fought off competition for his starting spot after being named at hooker for Saturday’s trial.

Thompson was named ahead new recruit Jake Granville and Cameron King, who is also returning from a knee injury and will start on the bench.

Former Bronco Granville, who was the team’s equal highest scorer at the Auckland Nines with four tries, and King are both still likely to have a chance to impress Green against Brisbane.

“Ray will start there because he’s the incumbent and played there last season where he did pretty well,” Green said.

“Cameron and Jake will get a shot at some point but after last year and the preseason so far I decided to go with Ray.

“Jake’s been very good throughout the preseason and was really good at the Auckland Nines but I know that’s a completely different game compared to regular footy.”