Luke O'Donnell will undergo hip surgery on Tuesday but the North Queensland lock is relieved his injury is not career-threatening.

O'Donnell confirmed he would be sidelined for up to four weeks following arthroscopic surgery to clean out his hip joint.

"I'm hoping that's the case - three or four weeks (out of action)," O'Donnell told AAP.

"I can only see what happens when I come out (of surgery)."

O'Donnell visited surgeon Dr David Young in Melbourne on Monday when he underwent MRI scans, CT scans and x-rays on a hip problem related to the "wishbone tackle" that ended his 2007 NRL season.

"He needs arthroscopic surgery on the hip joint tomorrow night to clean it out because he's got an impingement in there," Cowboys athletic performance manager Glen Murphy said.

O'Donnell hurt his hip during North Queensland's 48-20 win over the New Zealand Warriors in Townsville on Saturday night.

The injury shattered his hopes of playing for Australia in the Centenary Test against New Zealand at the SCG on May 9.

"I'm trying to look at it as a positive," the 27-year-old said.

"If they clean out the hip, I could be back better than I was before. That's the plan.

"It's been a bit sore for a while now and it definitely didn't feel real flash on Saturday night.

"It was hard to pinpoint where the pain was actually coming from but when I saw the specialist he noticed the symptoms were typical of the injury that I've got with the hip.

"That's what the scans confirmed."

O'Donnell's misfortune is also a major blow to the Cowboys, who are already missing fellow forwards Matt Scott (ankle), Shane Tronc (shoulder), Sione Faumuina (hernia) and Anthony Watts (shoulder).

"Everyone's been stepping up but I definitely don't want to miss any more games," O'Donnell said.

"It's pretty frustrating. You put in all the hard work and then lose a few weeks fitness-wise.

"Hopefully it makes my hip and left leg feel better than before."

O'Donnell said he was resigned to missing out on playing for NSW in Origin I in Sydney on May 21 but he hoped to take part in the rest of the series.

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