Kyle Feldt and Wayne Ulugia set to battle for remaining wing position at North Queensland Cowboys

Feldt admits his confidence took a "big hit" following an unfortunate ankle injury this year, which came after capturing the National Rugby League's attention with three impressive performances after getting his first-grade call-up in round 21.

The North Thuringowa Devils junior rolled his ankle at training following his two-try heroics against the Titans in round 23, allowing Ulugia to get his NRL opportunity and making a similar impact on debut.

Feldt struggled to understand how an innocuous injury had robbed him of NRL finals football, with his ankle needing surgery when hopes of a speedy recovery faded.

But the former Ignatius Park student's confidence is back after winning North Queensland's rookie of the year award last week.

Feldt does not think the accolade has given him front-running for a starting spot next year, however, believing he and Ulugia will fight tooth and nail during pre-season training for the Cowboys No. 2 jersey.

Centres Brent Tate and Kane Linnett are sure to start again next year, and left winger Antonio Winterstein is expected to retain his left wing spot.

That leaves Ulugia and Feldt to compete over the remaining backline spot.

"It would be great if it came down to me and him (Ulugia), we're very competitive and we've always pushed each other," Feldt said.

"We're the same age and we've played a lot of football together, and we've known each other since school.

"My main goal is to get that starting spot, but it's always daunting going into a pre-season and I'm aiming to get my fitness up so I can start training from the start."

Feldt played the majority of his football for feeder club the Northern Pride in this year's Intrust Super Sup competition and played alongside Ulugia with the Cairns-based club, having stepped up to the Cowboys' full-time squad from National Youth Cup duties.

Tall, talented and athletic, Feldt was destined to be an NRL winger, but the Townsville product revealed he had serious doubts about whether to pursue a rugby league career after leaving high school in 2009.

Visiting Ignatius Park coach and former Under-20s assistant mentor Dave Elliott for a one-on-one chat, Feldt expressed reservations about being part of North Queensland's NYC system.

 "I wasn't in the right frame of mind, and I'm glad Dave snapped me out of it and gave me a good talking," Feldt said.

"There were times I just wanted to get out of the place and the pressure seemed really intense, but after having that chat, I pulled myself together. It took a lot of work but I'm just glad I'm to get to where I am now."

Adding further fuel to Feldt's fire is incoming Cowboys coach Paul Green, who has already spoken about his desire to see the Cowboys' upcoming talents reach their full potential.

"I've heard a lot of good things about him (Green) and it will be exciting to meet him and see what he brings, but I've still got to earn my place by doing all the hard yards in pre-season," he said.