Purdue firing as Cowboys six-shooter without Major Tom

In-form Jaxon Purdue is enjoying his stint at five-eighth for North Queensland. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

The continued absence of North Queensland half Tom Dearden will give the versatile Jaxon Purdue another opportunity to showcase his playmaking skills away against Manly.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten had named co-captain Dearden on an extended bench earlier in the week as he eyes a return from a syndesmosis and ankle fracture that has kept him out of action since round 10.