North Queensland fullback Matt Bowen is on the path to a full comeback from radical knee surgery as his Cowboys teammates resume training under fitness guru Billy Johnstone.

Bowen underwent replacement cartilage surgery on his troublesome knee late in the 2008 NRL season and is awaiting the results of his latest scans although early signs are positive for the renowned gamebreaker.

"Matty Bowen had a scan yesterday but he feels 100 per cent better than what he felt last year," said Cowboys athletic performance manager Glen Murphy.

"He is in no pain and there is no swelling so he is looking good."

A fully fit Bowen is just part of the puzzle North Queensland hope turns their 2008 failure into 2009 success.

New coach Neil Henry has returned from Canberra while fitness fanatic Johnstone is back after overseeing the Gold Coast Titans first two seasons.

Henry was an assistant and Johnstone the conditioning coach when the Cowboys reached the 2005 grand final.

Former Queensland flyer Ty Williams, a member of the 2005 grand final team, believes the return of much respected Johnstone and his gruelling training sessions would ensure no repeat of 2008's second-last place finish.

"We had a pretty tough gym session yesterday under the guidance of Billy Johnstone so everyone is a bit sore but the first week is always the toughest," Williams said.

"Billy is always there standing over you barking orders, he brings out the competitive edge in everyone so it is good to have him back.

"The commitment starts off the field and when you get on the footy field it only just comes second nature.

"It is something that he is trying to bring back into the club so it started yesterday and a lot of the boys are feeling it this morning."

Following a string of leg injuries and poor form last year the Innisfail product is expecting pressure to perform in 2009 following the addition former Queensland centre Willie Tonga and a host of Toyota Cup players moving into the top squad.

"There is always pressure at the start of the offseason and everyone talks it up and I think you have got to get in there and get into the grind," said Williams.

"There is always pressure for spots especially the young guys from under 20s, a lot of those stepped up last year and slotted in there."

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