Injured West Tigers second-rower Gareth Ellis admits he may be forced to sit out next Monday's NRL clash against North Queensland at Leichhardt due to a groin problem.

Ellis, who has been one of the Tigers' most consistent players since joining from English club Leeds last season, suffered the injury against Brisbane two weeks ago and missed last Friday's 15-14 win over the Gold Coast at Campbelltown Stadium

"It's a niggling groin injury that's been hanging around for a few weeks now," Ellis said on Tuesday.

"It's gradually got worse.

"I think in the long run, with the amount of football I've played over the last few years that it might be good to have a week or two off and freshen up.

"I'm still a chance this week but it won't be the end of the world if I don't, as long as the boys keep winning."

The Tigers sit third on the NRL ladder, and will go into the game against the second-last Cowboys full of confidence having tasted victory in six of their last seven games.

With just eight rounds of the regular season remaining, Tim Sheens' side are well placed to make a return to the finals for the first time since their grand final win in 2005.

"Every year is an opportunity and we've got a great player roster, better than the one in '05, according to the boys who were here," Ellis said.

"We're sitting pretty good on the table but it's easy to get carried away with that.

"We need to keep at it and keep picking up the wins.

"It would be nice to pick up our performances and give it a good run going into the back- end of the year."

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