Thurston recovery on target

Johnathan Thurston‘s round 24 comeback against South Sydney from a knee injury remains on track after he resumed light training.

Thurston, who tore a medial ligament in the State of Origin decider in Brisbane on July 6, took to running again at a Cowboys training session yesterday.

He has targeted a return against South Sydney on August 19 but remains an outside chance to return a week earlier in the all-Queensland clash against Brisbane.

“I just did a little bit of running, nothing too strenuous,” Thurston said.

“It was a good feeling to be back out on the training paddock.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been on it. Just to be out there while the boys are training and doing a bit of jogging around and other stuff was like being a little kid again.”

Thurston said the ligament had healed well but the bone bruising he sustained was still an issue.

He expects to keep up the straight line running for another week before starting some more serious tests of his agility.

“I’m making progress and I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks of running,” he said.

“The running will intensify and then I’ll have more of an idea where it’s at.”