Israel Folau's eagerly awaited return from injury will not spare North Queensland from rampaging wide-running forward Dave Taylor in Friday night's NRL derby in Townsville.

While Queensland and Australian representative Folau received the green light to return from an ankle fracture on Thursday morning, coach Ivan Henjak said 115kg Taylor would continue to roam out wide in attack.

The tactic worked brilliantly against St George Illawarra with Taylor scoring Brisbane's first try with his size and strength and then giving a one-handed off-load to winger Antonio Winterstein for their second in the 12-2 upset.

"Dave still has a licence to get out wide," said Henjak, who denied Folau's comeback had been hurried along because the finals were fast approaching.

Henjak half-heartedly suggested it was hard to fit Folau back into Brisbane's backline.

But there's no doubt he believes the 20-year-old adds an extra element to the Broncos' arsenal while giving the team added presence.

"The fellas who performed last week did a hell of a job, but I think he'll certainly add something to our team - and give everyone else a little bit more confidence as well ... he can do some special things," said Henjak after Folau cleared the last hurdle in his comeback.

Prop Joel Clinton was also passed fit but, unfortunately for him, Henjak wasn't willing to tamper with his forward rotation to bring him back from injury.

"He's fit, we've got the luxury of having just about everyone on deck now - it's disappointing someone had to miss out," said Henjak.

"Joel's done quite well this year, but the boys who have done the job the last three weeks have done extremely well too ... it's a good position we're in."

The big challenge facing Brisbane at Dairy Farmers Stadium will be to repeat the defensive intensity that closed down the Dragons' engine room so efficiently last weekend.

Asked if he was confident the effort was not a "one off" because of the pressure, Henjak said: "Ask me that after Friday night's game, I hope it wasn't".

It's do-or-die for the Cowboys who'll have to overcome the loss of inspirational fullback Matt Bowen (knee) to keep the finals door slightly ajar after their costly second half collapse last weekend against Newcastle.

Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston has baited his players to turn up the heat, publicly declaring they will be under-achievers if they don't win their last two games and give themselves an outside shot at sneaking into the finals.

Former Queensland winger Ty Williams takes over at fullback for Bowen while Ben Harris is on standby to join current Origin star Willie Tonga in the centres with Ashley Graham (foot) a very doubtful starter.

Cowboys enforcer Luke O'Donnell plans to use the high profile clash to remind Australian selectors he desperately wants a place in the Kangaroos touring squad to contest the inaugural Four Nations series in the UK.

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