Captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will fly to Townsville with the Warriors but his involvement in Friday's NRL clash with North Queensland is no certainty.
Coach Stephen Kearney said Tuivasa-Sheck needs to pass a late fitness test if he is to turn out for the fourth-placed Warriors at a venue where they traditionally struggle.
The 25-year-old ran freely at a cold, wet training session in Auckland on Tuesday and was included in an otherwise unchanged starting team to that which thumped Manly 34-14.
However, Tuivasa-Sheck was also named in last week's side for the Christchurch clash but was hooked late because of his ongoing ankle problem.
Peta Hiku shifted to fullback and Gerard Beale slotted in at centre.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
That could be the combination again as the Warriors seek to break a win-loss alternating streak that dates back nine matches.
"We haven't 100 per cent made that decision just yet on Roger," Kearney said.
"He's probably got a couple more boxes to tick before we give him the OK. He's better than he was last week."
Tuivasa-Sheck's chances of representing New Zealand in next week's Test against England in Denver probably hinges on his coming through the Cowboys match unscathed.
However, former Kiwi coach Kearney says that won't come into his selection thinking.
"My priority is our performance so I haven't given that any thought to be honest," Kearney said.
"We're trying to get him right to play on Friday."
