Neck surgery is expected to sideline North Queensland prop James Tamou for three months.
But the Cowboys are still hopeful the Test front-rower will be available for the 2015 NRL season opener.
North Queensland have confirmed Tamou will go under the knife on Tuesday to repair nerve damage after injuring his neck in July playing against Canterbury.
But it is believed they have dismissed initial reports that claimed Tamou could be sidelined for up to nine months as a result of the operation.
Tamou was sidelined for a month in July after being taken to hospital due to the neck complaint suffered against the Bulldogs.
At the time Tamou panicked after complaining that he could not move his left arm and experienced “pins and needles”.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” Tamou said at the time.
He returned and featured in the Cowboys’ fourth straight NRL finals campaign.
But he finally succumbed to the pain at season’s end and withdrew from Australia’s ill-fated Four Nations campaign.
However, it is believed club officials have played down reports of a long term lay-off for Tamou post-operation.
Despite the looming surgery, the big prop is taking part in the squad’s torturous three-day pre-season bonding camp in Cairns without any complaints.
He is expected to return to training after the shoulder operation in 12 weeks and Cowboys officials are hopeful he will put his hand up for the 2015 kick-off in March.
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