Knights enforcer Beau Scott could be a surprise inclusion for Saturday night's clash against the Cowboys, pitting him against Johnathan Thurston for the first time since their ill-fated encounter in Round 2.
The Eels-bound second-rower has been sidelined for the past two games with an ankle ligament issue, but has steadily progressed in his recovery in a bid to play against the Cowboys.
"I'm still coming back from my ankle injury, so not sure if I'll get a game this weekend. We'll just wait and see," Scott told NRL.com.
"It's not too bad. I haven't had a chance to run at all this week because we've had pretty severe weather up at home. It's more of a loading thing. If I get some loads through it the next couple of days and it feels alright, I don't know."
The Cowboys were fuming earlier this season when Scott had buried Thurston in an upending tackle that drew the ire of Kangaroos playmaker.
The NSW forward was cited with a Grade 1 dangerous contact charge but later escaped suspension.
"Yeah, there was a little bit of backlash. And I guess it dragged on. At the end of the day, people are entitled to their opinion and write what they want to write. It got plenty of attention," Scott said.
"You've got to shut down the best people in the team, and obviously he's one of the best going around and ever will be. So if you can shut him down, you're halfway to winning the game."
Despite the furore that ensued – and the fact Cowboys players this week pledged revenge – Scott said he wouldn't alter his aggression on shutting down players of Thurston's ilk.
"It's my role. It's anyone's role that stands opposite a playmaker in any team, to limit his opportunities and make him have as less impact on the game as possible," he said.
"[The Cowboys] can do what they like. I'm old enough and big enough, you could say that."
Should Scott come through unscathed, he could then play alongside Thurston for the Kangaroos in next week's Test against New Zealand in Brisbane. Australia coach Tim Sheens names his team on Sunday night.
