Good news for star recruit Willie Tonga was tempered by a devastating diagnosis for utility Anthony Watts at the North Queensland Cowboys.

Former Queensland Origin flyer Tonga has resumed full training after finally recovering from an Achilles injury.

However, Watts, 22, is expected to miss at least the first two rounds of the 2009 NRL competition after it was revealed an ankle injury would require surgery.

Cowboys fitness guru Billy Johnstone is again whipping Tonga into shape after the big name addition was prevented from running for two weeks due to an injury that required cortisone injections.

North Queensland will need to wait a lot longer to see Watts in full flight after he broke down at training on Saturday.

He had a screw inserted in his ankle on Wednesday and was expected to be sidelined for 10-12 weeks.

It was another blow for Watts who injured the same ankle in 2008.

Watts broke down on the weekend after just resuming full training following a pre-season hip complaint.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP