A shoulder hit which buried Brisbane team-mate Lagi Setu into a sandpit at Broncos training may have won Ben Te'o a shock NRL comeback against North Queensland in Townsville on Friday night.

T'eo's thundering shot on the solidly built Setu at Red Hill on Tuesday and the look on coach Ivan Henjak's face as a shaken Setu picked himself up from the appropriately named "punishment pit" said it all.

"I think he was trying to give me a message," smiled Henjak who may have to find a spot for T'eo with the most likely scenario being utility Matt Gillett dropping back to the bench.

If he plays on Friday night it will be a remarkable recovery after he was told twin fractures in his foot suffered during Brisbane's 34-30 loss to the Roosters eight days ago could sideline him for between four to six weeks.

"Ivan told me he was going to give me a go (in the pit) and I just wanted to let him know that I'm ready and that I'm up to it," said T'eo.

Someone should have warned Setu who copped a full-blooded shoulder before being driven face-first into the sand.

"I didn't tell him (Setu)," laughed T'eo.

"He was just trying to decide which shoulder to run at and unfortunately he came at my left."

T'eo is quickly building a reputation at the Broncos for being a big hitter in the Tonie Carroll mould.

"If Ivan wants me to start or come off the bench for however many minutes, it doesn't really bother me," he said.

"I'm super keen.

"Sitting out one week makes me realise how important it is to be a part of this team.

"I had two fractures in my foot but luckily enough they're not weight-bearing bones."

T'eo said he wasn't taking any extra risks by playing after running on the foot on Monday and competing Tuesday's training session at full pace.

"My confidence is good and whatever happens, happens but I don't think I'm at risk of doing any more damage." he said.

Meanwhile, young winger Jharal Yow Yeh has fond memories of his last trip to Townsville to play the Cowboys, when in late 2009 he scored a spectacular try after turning halfback Johnathan Thurston inside out on his way to the try line.

"I got a bit lucky, I think," said Yow Yeh of his highlight try.

"I think they (Cowboys) will come out all fired up and try to put us away to give their fans something to enjoy."

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