NORTH Queensland coach Graham Murray is believed to be facing the sack after fronting a board meeting in Townsville on Monday night.

While no announcement on Murray's fate has yet been made, the increasing speculation led to one bookmaker yesterday suspending betting on the identity of first NRL coach to be sacked this season following a plunge on the Cowboys mentor.

Sportingbet Australia suspended its market after five new accounts were opened yesterday morning, with each punter wagering between $1000 and $4000 on Murray to be the first coach sacked in 2008.

Murray has already been told he will not coach the team in 2009, with former assistant and current Canberra mentor Neil Henry to return to Townsville on a five-year deal from next season.

But three successive losses have increased the pressure on Murray, with the Cowboys slumping to second-last on the table.

The Herald was told Murray's appearance at Monday's board meeting had been arranged weeks ago, but there were strong rumours yesterday that he was about to be axed. If he is sacked, assistant coach Ian Millward may be asked to take over until Henry arrives next season.

After gaining a release from the final year of his contract with the Raiders, Henry signed an agreement that he would stay until the end of the season, and Canberra officials do not expect him to attempt to break that deal. But in a twist, Millward is set to join the Raiders next season as a mentor and assistant to incoming coach David Furner.

The Cowboys face a tough assignment this weekend against a near full-strength Manly outfit at Brookvale Oval without Queensland stars Johnathan Thurston, Carl Webb and Jacob Lillyman.

Fullback Brett Stewart was the Sea Eagles' lone selection in the NSW side, with Test prop Brent Kite a stunning omission.

In other team news, Wests Tigers welcome back playmakers Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah for Sunday's trip to Newcastle.

The Knights will be without NSW pair Danny Buderus and Ben Cross, the injured Kurt Gidley, and utility Matt Hilder, who was yesterday suspended for three matches on a striking charge. The Bulldogs have named injured trio Luke Patten, Ben Roberts, and Sonny Bill Williams.

Rangi Chase has been recalled to St George Illawarra's halves - after Ben Hornby was picked for NSW - for Saturday's important clash with Melbourne.

Hooker Luke Priddis will lead Penrith in Petero Civoniceva's absence against the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday.