Matt Scott remains hopeful that North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston will be fit for the finals, with the Maroons halfback to learn the extent of a knee injury on Thursday.

It was initially thought Thurston's season was over with a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in the second half of Queensland's 34-24 triumph over NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

The injury was suffered while Thurston was attempting to tackle NSW forward Anthony Watmough in the 58th minute, with the Maroons halfback accidentally cut down by the swinging legs of team-mate Ashley Harrison. He was immediately taken from the field.

But coach Mal Meninga gave Cowboys fans some cause for optimism after the game saying he suspected it was a grade two medial tear - a four-to-eight week injury.

Scott said he was hoping for the best for Thurston and the Cowboys.

"It's always hard to see a team-mate get injured, especially him," he said.

"He's such an important part of our team.

"We can only just hope, for his sake, that it's not too bad."

Thurston is certain to miss his club's clash against Newcastle on Monday night and is likely to be sidelined for at least the majority of the rest of the regular season, regardless of the results of the scans.

With the Cowboys riding high in fourth spot on the ladder, Scott said it was up to the rest of the club to rally and ensure there was a finals berth available for Thurston to play in, should the worst fears be allayed.

"Luckily enough the team's in a pretty good position now. If we can do well without him for a few weeks hopefully he'll be coming back at the right end of the year," he said.

Scott spoke to Thurston, who came back onto the field in a wheelchair to congratulate retiring skipper Darren Lockyer, and said he was upbeat about his chances of returning to the football field this season.

"He's in pretty good spirits," Scott said.

"He's really good with his rehab, he's a quick healer so hopefully it's best case scenario.

"If we can do well without him, he will be such a big boost coming back into the side at the back half of the year."

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