Cowboys' Bowen passes fitness test

North Queensland fullback Matt Bowen will make a surprise return from injury in Saturday night's NRL match against the New Zealand Warriors.

Bowen passed a fitness test on his injured knee on Friday afternoon with coach Graham Murray to make a decision on his final 17 on Saturday.

The Queensland Origin utility hasn't played since pulling up sore following the Cowboys round-three loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

He was not named by Murray earlier this week but it is expected Ashley Graham will revert to the centres with John Williams to drop out of the squad for the Dairy Farmers Stadium encounter.