Tigers veteran James Tamou is reportedly set for a return to the Cowboys, six seasons after departing Townsville in 2016.
The 33-year-old has reportedly been in contact with North Queensland powerbrokers according to The Daily Telegraph.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten held a meeting with the former Panther while in Sydney for Wednesday night’s Dally M Medal, where he won Coach of the Year.
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Payten was said to have told the prop he wants him in his squad next season.
Tamou looks set to snub interest from the English Super League and a return to the club he made his debut at is reportedly firming.
Wakefield Trinity were one of the clubs interested in the 305-gamer, but Tamou and his family are keen to remain in Australia.
Tamou’s role at the club would be to mentor younger forwards after a stint with the Tigers.
If he is to sign with the Cowboys, reports suggest he would take a significant pay-cut, but the big man wants to play one more season in the NRL.
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Last season, during the Tigers’ 72-6 demolition at the hands of the Roosters there were fears the veteran had played his last game.
Tamou was hit with a grade three contrary conduct charge for saying “f***ing incompetent you are” to referee Ben Cummins in the final two minutes of the clash.
The veteran prop was initially sin-binned in the dying minutes for saying “f**k off” but after his second outburst “incompetent” Cummins upgraded the binning to a send off.
The grade three charge carried a two-week suspension but fronted the judiciary and successfully had his ban downgraded to just one game.
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