The North Queensland Cowboys will be sweating on the fitness of the games most valuable player as they prepare for next weeks top four clash with the Melbourne Storm.

The Cowboys were awesome at home in Townsville on Thursday night in crushing the Bulldogs 36 – 0 but all the talk after the match was about the state of skipper Johnathon Thurstons (pictured) left hamstring.

He failed to return  to the match after suffering the strain in the early stages of the second half but Thurston says he’s confident he’ll be ready for the match up with the Storm on Saturday week.