JOHNATHAN Thurston will miss at least two games, with the Cowboys set to take the cautious route with their prized asset as they build towards a premiership defence in September.

Thurston strained his hamstring in the second half of North Queensland’s massive win over the Bulldogs, sitting out the last 33 minutes after he felt a twinge accelerating to try to regather a kick.

While the injury isn’t considered to be on the serious side, Thurston will not play in Saturday’s marquee home clash against the Storm and is highly unlikely to take on the Wests Tigers the following Sunday at Leichhardt Stadium.

The news could breathe new life into the race for top four positions, with the Cowboys sitting third, just one point in front of the Raiders and two points ahead of the Bulldogs.

Round 20

If a red hot Melbourne can travel to Townsville and snatch victory against a side that tends to struggle to fire without its chief playmaker, the clash with the Tigers could all of a sudden take on massive significance, with a premiership virtually impossible to win in the modern finals system from outside the top four.