The Fury coach has had to hose down some media speculation about Fowler but Ferguson insists there is nothing to be concerned about for Fury fans.

"It keeps coming back that Robbie's unhappy and look, there's only man that can confirm that and that's Robbie and he's always been a straight-shooter," Ferguson told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"He's always been straight with anything he's told me and I believe him. There's no reason to doubt him. He's happy here.

"Unless Robbie changes his mind or wants to go back home, as far as I'm concerned at this moment, everything's fine, Robbie's fine, his family's fine.

"I've had two or three chats with the boy because every time something comes up, I have to confirm it if I hear something and ask Robbie and Robbie's always been straight with me and true to his word.

"And I'm quite happy with that."

Ferguson hopes to add some "younger legs" around Fowler next season at North Queensland. He is planning a European scouting trip in the off-season to see players first hand in countries such as France, Holland and the UK.

"I do want to see players rather than take recommendations like last year," he said. "Some didn't materialise the way I'd hoped.

"We need players with the right attitude who want to come to North Queensland, not just for the money."

The squad will begin pre-season in Townsville on May 1, and Ferguson said he won't repeat last season's off-season where the side travelled extensively. This time, he's looking at around three away trips only.

Meanwhile, ahead of this weekend's crucial A-League game against Central Coast Mariners, Ferguson gave his Fury squad four days off over the festive season.

He felt they needed freshening up and will give them another day off on Wednesday after some heavy sessions earlier in the week.

"I feel the boys have benefited from the break after the season, and pre-season, we've had," said Ferguson. "To their credit they've put in some very hard work since returning."

Fury go into this weekend's game on a high after their last outing on December 27 resulted in a 1-0 home win over Melbourne Victory.

That lifted them to equal on points with the eighth placed Mariners who lost 2-0 to Wellington Phoenix on New Year's Eve, and Fergie conceded that given the ladder it's almost a six-pointer of a game at Bluetongue on Saturday evening.

He added: "Wherever we go we try to entertain and get the three points but our away form has not been the best so we have to start getting back on track."