North Queensland coach Paul Green admits the club isn't sure what has caused the severe headaches that will keep fullback Te Maire Martin out of Friday's clash with Gold Coast.
The 23-year-old has been replaced at the back by recruit Jordan Kahu, but Green concedes his young talent may be benched for longer than that.
The worried coach doesn't think he is suffering from concussion as club staff scour game footage to find answers for the mystery ailment.
"Te Maire's got a bit of an issue at the moment so he's not 100 per cent," Green said.
"He's out for a little while.
"He did cop a knock in the Melbourne game but didn't show any signs of concussion."
It comes as the coach bats away claims he has lost the dressing room following a 2-5 start to the season.
While happy to get assurances from captain Michael Morgan on Tuesday that wasn't the case, Green knows the rumblings will continue with another poor showing at home on Friday.
"That's what happens when you're not going so well," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"Other coaches have had their turn so far this year.
"They're (the players) surprised by it, disappointed that that's what's out there and it (their assurances) confirms what you already thought.
"When you are under pressure you've got to stick together to get yourselves out of it."
Jason Taumalolo is closer to a return after completing training on Tuesday, while Tom Opacic returns to the side in the centres to cover Kahu's switch.
