Francis Molo remains on standby as North Queensland keep their cards close to their chest over Scott Bolton.
Just four days after being charged with indecent assault, Bolton could run out for the Cowboys against Wests Tigers during Thursday's NRL clash at Leichhardt Oval.
Bolton has not been stood down by the club or the NRL as he prepares to face court next month.
And the Cowboys say they have not made up their mind about whether he will play.
"It's been a big few days for him," North Queensland coach Paul Green said.
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"Outside of that, it's pretty hard for me to comment too much about it given it's a fairly serious matter.
"He's doing pretty well, he trained well (Wednesday)."
Bolton was charged following an alleged incident at a Bondi bar on Saturday night.
After flying home to be with family in Townsville, he returned to Sydney to take part in Wednesday's captain's run.
Should Bolton not be selected, Molo is almost certain to receive his first NRL call up in three years, with outside back Javid Bowen the only other player on the Cowboys' extended bench.
Molo has fought to get his career back on track following the tragic death of James Ackerman in 2015.
During a Queensland Cup game, Molo was responsible for a shoulder charge which felled Ackerman.
Ackerman died in hospital two days later and it was revealed during a coroner's inquest that the contact had ruptured an artery in his neck.
Green would not reveal whether Molo was next in line, however he appeared to have no other option should Bolton withdraw.
"If the time comes that Francis makes his debut and he does get an NRL crack for us, that'll be a better time to be talking about that," Green said.
"If we feel he's the right guy to play, whenever that might be, it'll be because we've got confidence in him."
