The Fury currently have 19 players registered to their playing list but are confident they can secure a deal for their twentieth player today, a visa player who they hope will replace the departed Robbie Fowler.

Under FFA rules, each A-League club must have a minimum of 20 players registered to their squad by midnight tonight, otherwise they face sanction.

North Queensland football operations manager Robbie Middleby revealed the Fury had been in talks with the foreign player for several weeks but delays due to visa constraints had slowed the process.

Middleby declined to identify the player until the deal was finalised but told the Townsville Bulletin he was confident it would go through and the club would avoid a deadline sanction.

"We're a big chance (to seal the deal tonight)," Middleby said.

It is hoped the Fury's foreign player, who will be a striker, can replace Fowler in attack for the Fury.

Middleby added: "That's what we're hoping ... he's an exciting prospect."

The Fury operations manager, though, did admit if the deal didn't materialise by tonight's deadline, the club had a back-up plan.

North Queensland have previously revealed they'll look to local players to fill their 21st and 22nd squad spots, but such a deal could be fast-tracked.

"Regardless of this visa spot, we'll be looking, especially at locals, to fill them," Middleby said. "We're looking at Townsville and North Queensland and, if not, Queensland."