North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Co-Captain Tom Dearden has been ruled out of Saturday's XXXX Derby against the Brisbane Broncos.
The 25-year-old suffered a high-grade peroneal muscle avulsion tear on the opposite leg to the syndesmosis injury during Saturday's loss to the Dolphins.
Jaxon Purdue shifts to halfback, with Zac Laybutt to start at centre.
Kaiden Lahrs is the other player to drop out of the 22-man squad named on Tuesday.
Saturday’s game kicks off at 7.35pm.
Cowboys team to play Broncos:
18. Zac Laybutt
4. Tom Chester
3. Jaxon Purdue
8. Tom Mikaele
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. Heilum Luki
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter (c)
Interchange
14. Soni Luke
15. Griffin Neame
16. Matt Lodge
17. Coen Hess
19. Ethan King
20. Sam McIntyre
22. Liam Sutton
