PETERO Civoniceva has played with Carl Webb for Brisbane and Queensland, and he expects the injured Cowboys prop to make it on to the field for Sunday's sudden-death semi-final against the Warriors - despite tearing a calf muscle last weekend.

Civoniceva, whose own season ended when the Broncos were beaten by Melbourne last Sunday, saw television news clips of Webb in pain as he was helped off the field by trainers during North Queensland's win over the Bulldogs the night before. But that doesn't stop Civoniceva from believing Webb will shut out the pain to play at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

"Carl is one of the toughest blokes I've seen in the game," Civoniceva said last night. "Physically, his calf is going to be sore, but I just know he's got that mental strength to be able to get out there and play. I've seen him do it before.

"I've played alongside him when he's had ankle injuries, or knee injuries, or shoulder injuries - stuff that would keep other players out - and he has not only been able to get out there and play, but play well. Some people handle being able to play with pain better than others, and Carl is one of those.

"He would be doing all the right things to treat the injury, and the Cowboys have already got a few forwards out, so it is even more important than usual that he plays. My tip is that he'll play … because I know what he can do."

Cowboys football manager Kelly Egan said yesterday Webb would be given until as late as possible to prove he could play.

"'Webby' is having intensive physio twice a day, and we've modified his training program," Egan said. "He's doing a little bit of running. Different players respond at different rates to treatment for injuries, and Carl is one of those who recovers pretty well.

"One of the biggest things he's got going for him is his toughness. He's not going to play if there's too big a risk that he will get hurt again and leave the team a man down, but he is one of those blokes who can play despite the pain.

"You can't needle for an injury like this. It's going to depend on how quickly it settles down, but we'll give him every chance. He's giving it all he's got. He missed the finals in 2005 [because of suspension], and we didn't make the finals last year. It means a lot to him to remain on the field in this campaign."

The Cowboys are already missing four forwards - Shane Tronc, Steve Southern and Luke O'Donnell, because of injury, and the suspended Sione Faumuina.

Despite that, they have beaten the Bulldogs - and their star forward pack - in successive weeks. But, the deeper it gets into the finals, the harder it is to win, and the loss of Webb would be a huge blow - particularly when the Cowboys face another big team in the Warriors.

Civoniceva, who will join Penrith next year, said if he were in Webb's position he would be doing the same and not giving up on playing on Sunday.

"I've had a calf injury myself before," he said. "It was in the regular season, so the situation wasn't as critical as it is for the Cowboys, with a sudden-death game. I was out for a week, but if it had been the finals, I would have been aiming at not missing a game at all.

"It's hard to get up and running at full speed with that sort of injury, but if you treat it right during the week and then warm up properly before the game, you've got a chance."