North Queensland Toyota Cowboys young gun Reuben Cotter will return from a four-month injury lay off in Saturday’s showdown with the Parramatta Eels at CBUS Super Stadium.
Cotter suffered a Lisfranc injury in a victory over the Wests Tigers in Round 5 and has subsequently undergone two bouts of surgery. The 22-year-old was a shining light for the Cowboys in the opening rounds of the season after transitioning from hooker to middle forward.
>>> Payten on Cotter's role, what HTF & Taumalolo have to do to play
Cotter returns via the interchange, replacing the suspended Griffin Neame.
The remainder of the 17 remains the same from last week’s clash with the Wests Tigers, although stars Jason Taumalolo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow have been named in the reserves as they edge closer to returns from injury.
Taumalolo missed Round 22 through a broken hand, while Tabuai-Fidow has been sidelined since Round 18 following appendix surgery.
Round 22 debutant Jeremiah Nanai has again been named on the interchange after his impressive try-scoring maiden appearance in the NRL.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 7.35pm.
Cowboys team to play Eels:
2. Kyle Feldt
3. Daejarn Asi
5. Ben Hampton
7. Tom Dearden
8. Francis Molo
9. Reece Robson
10. Jordan McLean
11. Ben Condon
12. Heilum Luki
13. Coen Hess
Interchange
14. Reuben Cotter
15. Jeremiah Nanai
16. Mitch Dunn
17. Tom Gilbert
Reserves
18. Jason Taumalolo
20. Peter Hola
