Early team news for Round 6

There will certainly be plenty of interest at 4:00pm this afternoon when Wests Tigers Coach Michael Maguire names his 21-man squad to take on the North Queensland Cowboys this Saturday as the side looks to bounce back from last week's loss to the Canberra Raiders.

After a blunt assessment of his side's performance the week before, Maguire would have been pleased in part with his side's effort and discipline against the competition favourites in Round 5 but still unhappy with the result and momentary lapses that saw them go down 14-6 in the end.

All attention will now turn to Saturday's crucial clash against the North Queensland Cowboys and what changes will be made to the side for this week's game.

At least two new faces will find their way in to the 21-man squad following the departure of Corey Thompson to the Gold Coast Titans as well as the two-week suspension accrued by Russell Packer, with plenty of options available for Maguire.

Benji Marshall, Luke Garner and Billy Walters were named in the reserves last week could come in to contention while the likes of Robert Jennings, Oliver Clark, Elijah Taylor and Matt Eisenhuth have also been included in 21-man squads this year.

Luciano Leilua was helped off late in the contest with an ankle injury but could be right to play as early as this week, and his inclusion would certainly be a strong boost for a Wests Tigers side gunning for four wins in a row over the Cowboys.

North Queensland come in to the contest after a disappointing defeat to the New Zealand Warriors in Round 5 — a loss compounded by the fact that Valentine Holmes (ankle) and Jordan McLean (calf) could join key veterans Michael Morgan and John Asiata in the casualty ward for the visitors.

Should Holmes be ruled, exciting youngster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will likely shift to the back as per last week's in-game change, while the likes of Corey Jensen, Peter Hola and Shane Wright could find their way in to the forward pack.

Prop Tom Gilbert is also suspended for the clash after an incident in Round 5.

Both teams will name their sides for Saturday's game at 4:00pm this afternoon before providing an updated 19-man squad at 5:30pm on Friday.

Final team lists will then be confirmed an hour prior to kickoff (4:30pm, Saturday).