Matt Scott could make a stunning return from a knee reconstruction after being included in North Queensland's 21-man squad for Saturday's preliminary NRL final.
Scott was on Tuesday named on an extended bench to take on the Sydney Roosters, however coach Paul Green is adamant the Cowboys co-captain is unlikely to play.
"If everyone gets through the week, he won't play. But he's worked really hard through the year since his injury to put himself in the frame," Green said on Tuesday.
"I think he wanted me to name him, so given he's one of our captains and he's worked as hard as what he has, I at least owe him that.
"As long as everyone gets through training, I don't expect the team to change."
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Forward Coen Hess (knee) and winger Antonio Winterstein (ribs) both picked up knocks in last week's semi-final win over Parramatta but Green insisted neither is in doubt for the clash.
Both are expected to participate in the team's first training session of the week on Wednesday.
"They're fine. It's just a bit sore, (Hess will) be fine. He finished the game, so that's always a good sign. He's pulled up really well, so he'll be right," Green said.
Green said Scott had ticked all the boxes in his rehabilitation but admitted asking him to play would be a "calculated risk".
A possible grand final return however, could be a possibility.
"He's done everything he's had to do, not only here but away from here as well. And he's at seven months, there's guys that have played AFL and league earlier than that," Green said.
"It's not out of the realms of possibility he plays, but I'm not intending to play him this week.
"It'd come down to medical advice. At this stage, yeah they've said there's a risk, but it'd be a calculated risk. He certainly wouldn't be playing 80 minutes."
Green also said Scott, who hasn't played since their round-two win over Brisbane, accepted being left out of their best 17 following their courageous push deep into the finals.
Shaun Fensom will start at prop alongside Scott Bolton, with John Asiata and Corey Jensen joining Hess on the interchange bench.
"It was the first thing I said (to him). They're the guys that have done the job for us and he's completely comfortable with that," Green said.
