The Queensland rugby league half-back Johnathan Thurston has set his sights on returning to NRL action in four weeks' time despite an expert assessment that he will be out for at least six rounds after scans revealed medial ligament damager suffered in Wednesday night's State of Origin decider.
Thurston admitted he anticipated the worst case scenario of a season-ending injury when he was felled in a sickening collision with Maroons team-mate Ashley Harrison in the second half at Lang Park.
Thurston met with an orthopaedic surgeon who delivered the good news that it was a grade two medial ligament tear and bone bruising which would put him out for just six weeks.
But the North Queensland co-captain instantly set himself a challenge of returning in four.
While he does not need surgery, Thurston will wear a brace and will be out of NRL action for North Queensland until at least its clash with Brisbane on August 12th.
