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Valentine Holmes has been granted permission to test the market but that hasn't hampered North Queensland's preparations for their clash against Wests Tigers.

North Queensland centre Valentine Holmes will test the market with a year left on his contract, but that news is not upsetting the Cowboys players as they continue their march towards the finals.

Holmes is contracted with the Cowboys until the end of 2025 but his management has been granted permission to look at other options with St George Illawarra one of the early front-runners to make a play for his services.

The Cowboys, in sixth position on 26 points and with a bye still to come, need just two more wins to play finals and start favourites against last-placed Wests Tigers on Thursday night at Leichhardt Oval.

Hooker Reece Robson said the Holmes issue was not a distraction.

"He is a great mate of mine and I love playing alongside him here," Robson said.

"(Holmes's future) is a deal for himself, his managers and the club to sort out. For us, he is just doing his job like he does every week as are we. The other (contract stuff) will take care of itself."

Half Chad Townsend, who will join Sydney Roosters next year, said 2016 premiership winner Holmes was always going to be sought after as a Test and Origin star.

"He is a world-class player who has done it all," Townsend said.

"(Testing the market) doesn't necessarily mean he won't be here next year because he still has a contract for next season. I am sure it will all get sorted, but this sort of news is always heightened with a class player like Val."

The Cowboys are only too aware how dangerous the Tigers can be at Leichhardt. Last year they copped a 66-18 thrashing at the venue.

"They have got spark across the field," Townsend said.

"Api Koroisau has done a tremendous job this year, Lachlan Galvin has done really well in his first year in the NRL and they have other young kids who are dangerous.

"We really respect the Tigers and are heading down there with the mindset that they will challenge us at Leichhardt.

"I still don't think we have reached our potential. We have come close and are probably heading in the right direction."

The Cowboys will be without key forwards Jason Taumalolo and Reuben Cotter who were both concussed in last week's loss to the Sharks.

Taumalolo also fractured his cheek bone and further consultations with a surgeon will determine how many games he will miss.

Second-rower Heilum Luki will return from hamstring tightness that kept him out last week.