Monday, 15 January 2018: The return of Michael Morgan to North Queensland training means the plotting with fit-again halves partner Johnathan Thurston can begin.

How the fit-again Johnathan Thurston will slot back into the North Queensland NRL set-up will become clearer now his halves partner Michael Morgan has returned to Cowboys training.

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Australian five-eighth Morgan and Tongan enforcer Jason Taumalolo are back on deck in Townsville this week, completing a Cowboys squad that includes the returning Thurston and co-captain Matt Scott.

In that pair's absence, Morgan, with the help of 22-year-old halves partner Te Maire Martin, led the Cowboys to within one win of a miraculous NRL premiership.

Thurston took great pride in witnessing Morgan's rise as an elite playmaker as he recovered from mid-season shoulder surgery.

Mindful of not limiting that creativity when he returns, the 34-year-old admitted he was yet to discuss how they would play alongside each other in what will be Thurston's final NRL season.

"We haven't had a chat about our structure together or how we want to play this season," Thurston told AAP.

"With those guys being on holidays (following the Rugby League World Cup) it's something that will happen now that we're all back.

"But for me it's been good to get a full pre-season in; it's something I don't normally get to do."

Martin is another whose role will change given the healthier list at Paul Green's disposal in 2018.

An out-and-out No.6, the New Zealand international may find himself playing reserve grade unless Green decides to convert him into a bench utility.

Contracted until 2019, he shapes as Thurston's immediate replacement and has the full endorsement of the champion himself.

"Again we haven't really sat down yet and talked about that (where he'll play) but Te Maire's an exciting talent," Thurston said.

"He's got great hands, good vision, reads the game well and hopefully he'll be a Cowboy for many years to come."