Thompson named on extended Cowboys bench

Utility Ray Thompson is a chance of making a return before his end of season retirement after being named on an extended North Queensland bench for Sunday's NRL elimination final against Cronulla.

The ex-PNG international vowed to play again for the Cowboys when he announced last month he would hang up the boots at year's end due to ongoing knee issues.

And Thompson is now a step closer after being named 18th man by an injury hit Cowboys for their sudden-death clash.

"He's back in the mix. He has got to a point where his knee is a lot stronger and if we need his experience and toughness he will be great to call upon," Cowboys coach Paul Green said.

"I am just picking my best 21 at moment, that's all I have got."

North Queensland scraped into the finals in eighth after enduring a horror injury toll that ballooned to 12 just three weeks ago.

But Green was quietly confident ahead of the Sharks clash after having the luxury of naming the same 17 for the third-straight game.

Fullback Lachlan Coote (ankle), winger Antonio Winterstein (hamstring), playmaker Te Maire Martin (knee) and backrower Gavin Cooper (calf) have all been named despite being eased through training this week.

"The 10-day turnaround has come at a great time for us," Green said.

"In those last few games a few of those guys probably wouldn't have played if I had some more depth up my sleeve.

"So it's nice to have the luxury of a bit of time this week."

Coote and Winterstein were on light duties on Tuesday but Green did not believe they were a concern.

"It's about being smart about how much running they do this week - hopefully all of those guys will get out there," he said.

Green happily played the underdog card before the Cowboys renewed their finals rivalry with the defending premiers.

"We have just as much to lose as them but they deserve to be favourites," he said.

"They are the current premiers and we are not at full strength.

"We don't have that pressure of expectation which is a good way to go into games."