North Queensland's dismal NRL season has hit rock bottom, with world class halfback and captain Johnathan Thurston told he would require immediate knee surgery.

The Cowboys had earlier named the dual Dally M winner and this year's player of the State of Origin series in the team to play Brisbane at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Friday night.

But scans detected a tear in his lateral meniscus suffered late in Saturday's loss to the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland.

The injury is likely to keep Thurston out for up to a month but coach Ian Millward said he was hopeful he could have his star playmaker back within three weeks.

"It was just picked up in scans today, we thought he would be right but there's just a small issue there," Millward told AAP.

"He needs to get it done, he gets it done and it's only short and sharp.

"(Winger) John Williams had it done earlier this year and he was only out for three weeks so we're hoping we'll have him (Thurston) back within three or four weeks."

Thurston will undergo surgery on Wednesday morning and join several of the club's stars, including fullback Matt Bowen and forwards Luke O'Donnell and Jacob Lillyman, on the club's lengthy unavailability list due to injuries and suspension.

Millward will on Wednesday name a replacement No.7 to face the Broncos.

Thurston's absence is another cruel blow for the Cowboys, who are anchored a clear last on the NRL ladder and odds-on for the wooden spoon.

Brisbane also have injury concerns with veteran lock Tonie Carroll and utility David Stagg facing fitness tests on ankle injuries on Thursday.

Either way the Broncos will still head to Townsville for the local derby with a strong side, including Darren Lockyer and all their Origin players.

Parramatta named Kris Keating to make his first NRL start in place of injured Feleti Mateo in Friday night's match against Manly at Brookvale Oval.

It will be only Keating's third NRL appearance after coming off the bench twice this year.

"Yes they're big shoes to fill but Kris has been training with us all season and is very aware of what he needs to do," Eels coach Michael Hagan said.

"He brings great energy and enthusiasm to the football side which can only be a good thing in such a big match."

Meanwhile, Penrith coach Matthew Elliott has named stars Luke Lewis and Frank Pritchard for Saturday's match with Gold Coast despite their injury concerns.

Luke Rooney has been named on an extended bench and could return from a hamstring injury while Luke Priddis has been named at hooker with Masada Iosefa relegated to the bench.

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens named Robbie Farah at halfback and John Morris at hooker for their match with South Sydney on Sunday while Kurt Gidley will start at fullback for Newcastle against Cronulla on Saturday.

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