COWBOYS fullback Lachlan Coote has confirmed he will miss Friday night’s NRL season opener against the Cronulla Sharks in Townsville due to a hamstring injury.

Coote suffered a slight hamstring strain during pre-season training and he aggravated the injury in North Queensland’s final trial match against the Storm in Brisbane.

The 27-year-old lasted little more than 10 minutes before he was replaced by Ben Hampton, who is expected to be named at fullback when coach Paul Green reveals his team for round one on Tuesday.

It’s a frustrating setback for Coote given he ruled himself out of Scotland’s World Cup campaign last year to ensure he would get a full preseason with the Cowboys.

The off-contract custodian also missed six games early last season with a niggling calf complaint.

Coote was confident he’ll be fit for the Queensland derby against the Broncos in Brisbane in round two, but he conceded he would be forced to sit out the season opener.

“Unfortunately I won’t be playing round one which is pretty disappointing,” Coote said.

“You have a big preseason and get the body right back how you want it, but unfortunately you can just have a little setback like that.

“I thought my fitness was good and I got my strength back up to where I wanted it be.

“I stayed out of the World Cup and I think that was the right decision just to get the body right and have a full preseason.

“It’s nothing too much. I think there would have been a slight little tear in there, but I’m just trying to take it day-by-day and get back by round two.”