North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston has called for changes at the NRL club, but not at the expense of coach Neil Henry.

Henry has been under pressure after guiding a star-studded Cowboys side to a dismal 15th place finish on the ladder, with only the disgraced Melbourne Storm finishing below them.

The former Canberra mentor's first season in 2009 also saw the side comfortably miss the finals.

However, Thurston has thrown his support behind Henry and called on the club to focus on recruiting a star five-eighth - with Sydney Roosters playmaker Braith Anasta linked with a move to Townsville.

"I'm sticking behind the coach, I think he's a great coach," Thurston said.

"He's got a good football brain and I think with his guidance we can certainly get back into semi-final football. He has my backing all the way."

Thurston won a premiership with Anasta at Canterbury in 2004, with Anasta starring at five-eighth, and the dual Dally M winner wants to rekindle their partnership

The Cowboys are reportedly interested in securing the services of the ex-Australia and NSW representative, who is understood to be keen to switch back to the halves after playing at lock for the Roosters this season.

It would be a welcome move according to Thurston, who struggled to find his best club form as the Cowboys tried nine players in the No. 6 jersey over the course of the season.

"Of course (I'd like to have him at the Cowboys)," Thurston said.

"He'd be a handy addition to any side and certainly if we could get him up there we'd certainly welcome him with open arms if he made that choice.

"He'd definitely (compliment my game), we've certainly struggled having someone outside me the last few years and to have someone of his calibre playing outside me would certainly help my game and certainly help the club out as well."

Thurston, who is battling an ankle injury ahead of the Four Nations tournament in October, is hoping to finish his year on a high.

"Things didn't go too well up there (with the Cowboys) this year but with the injury (the Four Nations) has given me something to look forward to and strive for," he added.

Despite not featuring in the finals for the third consecutive year, Thurston is not worried about being usurped for the halfback spot.

Gold Coast captain Scott Prince has led his side to the preliminary final, but Thurston said he can keep banging on the door for a little while longer.

"It probably hurts not playing in the finals ... I know there's a lot of players knocking at the door but I think I'm still ahead of them," he said.

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