North Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green says the news on Johnathon Thurstons calf injury is better than was first anticipated.

Thurston appeared to injure his calf in the final minutes of the upset loss to the Tigers on the weekend and immediately took himself from the field to seek treatment.

It was originally thought the injury might see Thurston miss up to 10 weeks but a relieved coach  Green (pictured) says the injury has turned out to be relatively minor and he’s now on the hunt for a replacement half for Saturday evenings clash with the Dragons.