Teams wrap

Penrith halfback Craig Gower will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury. Gower limped off the field in last Saturday night's win over Canberra and has not been named in the Panthers team to play North Queensland this Saturday night.

Panthers football manager Mick Leary believes Gower's latest injury will keep him on the sidelines for a minimum of two weeks. Craig Trindall has been named in the number seven jersey for this week's game.

Manly has suffered another injury blow with backrower Anthony Watmough ruled out for a month with a broken thumb. Watmough is the third representative player to join the Sea Eagles injury list after Steven Bell (fractured cheekbone) and Steve Menzies (broken hand) both got hurt while playing State of Origin.

Watmough, a NSW player last year, is expected to miss three games and the Eagles bye before a possible return in round 23 against Newcastle. Glenn Stewart replaces Watmough in Manly's starting lineup for Saturday's Telstra Stadium clash with the bottom of the table South Sydney.

Queensland State of Origin halfback Johnathan Thurston has been shifted to five-eighth for the North Queensland Cowboys' clash against Penrith on Saturday night.

Thurston has been moved to give diminutive halfback Brent McConnell another chance to stake a claim for a permanent first grade berth. Cowboys regulars Shane Tronc and David Faiumu will play for feeder team the Young Guns while Paul Bowman's one week suspension helps coach Graham Murray avoid a selection dilemma in the centres.

The club boasts a wealth of talent out wide following Ty Williams' return from injury and Josh Hannay's confidence-boosting recent form.