North Queensland's star recruit Willie Mason will make his Cowboys debut off the bench against Brisbane on Friday night.

Coach Neil Henry on Tuesday named the former Sydney Roosters prop on an extended bench for the Suncorp Stadium blockbuster.

"I'd like some impact off the bench (from Mason)," Henry said.

"I thought he was good in the Darwin trial (against Gold Coast).

"He's been training really well and gradually getting back into the contact side of it.

"He takes a bit of pulling down in the tackles so hopefully he'll get a bit of momentum for us.

Henry said he expected Mason had about 40 minutes of quality football in him but it was uncertain how much time the controversial forward would spend on the field.

With star fullback Matt Bowen sidelined, Ty Williams will wear the No.1 jersey.

Prop Carl Webb is under an injury cloud with a strained calf.

Cowboys squad: Ty Williams, John Williams, Ashley Graham, Willie Tonga, Michael Bani, Grant Rovelli, Johnathan Thurston (capt), Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne, Antonio Kaufusi, Scott Bolton, Steve Southern, Luke O'Donnell. Interchange: Anthony Watts, Steve Rapira, Willie Mason, Manase Manuokafoa, Carl Webb, James Tamou (two to be omitted).