SHATTERED Cowboys star Johnathan Thurston says he will not let his latest injury setback derail his push for a berth in this year's World Cup.

In a massive blow ahead of Friday’s NRL derby clash with Brisbane, the North Queensland’s inspirational playmaker was ruled out with a knee injury.

Thurston suffered a tear in his right knee in the dying stages of Saturday’s loss to the New Zealand Warriors and will have surgery this morning.

The 25-year-old will miss three to four weeks and joins a raft of Cowboys stars who are out of action.

Northern Pride captain Chris Sheppard is a logical halfback replacement, but he yesterday played down speculation of a call-up.

Thurston said he did not think his sore knee was a serious injury.

"It was just sore after the game, I didn’t really think much of it and then I had a scan (on Monday) and then got the results back this afternoon," he said.

"I could play but they reckon it’s not in my best interest in the long term."

At worst Thurston should be back on the field by round 23, allowing him to launch a four-game bid for a place in the Australian World Cup team.

Thurston is the incumbent Kangaroos halfback, but the time out of the game could hurt his chances.

Thurston said it would give his injured groin and hernia time to heal and potentially leave him injury free for October’s international showpiece.

"It’s only three or four weeks (out) so hopefully I get four or five games in before the season is over and I can concentrate for the World Cup," he said.

"It’s all I can focus on at the moment, there’s no point dwelling on it."

The Cowboys were tightlipped on who would join the returning Travis Burns in the halves.

Sheppard was called up during Thurston’s absence during the Origin period, but the halfback said he did not like his chances of another return.

"Ill see what happens, they haven’t rung me so I don’t think it’s on the cards," he said.

Sheppard said he was enjoying leading the Pride, which is on top of the Queensland Cup ladder.

"We are building something pretty special here so that is my focus at the moment," he said.

"I don’t expect anything and I’m quite happy at the moment."

Rugby league expert Greg Dowling said the Cowboys would be "crazy" not to call on Sheppard’s experience.

"They’ll have to (play Sheppard), they’ve got no other options," he said.

"Sheppard is the conductor of the Pride and to me it’s the logical choice and they would be crazy if they didn’t really.’’

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