Nathan Ross is on track to return from injury as soon as next week.
The nib Newcastle Knights centre has been sidelined for several weeks with a groin injury but Physical Performance Manager, Tony Ayoub believes Ross is a chance to return against Canterbury-Bankstown in Round 16.
"In the last week or so, he's worked really hard with the physios," Ayoub said.
WATCH THE INJURY UPDATE IN THE VIDEO AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
"He's made some real good progress. We had him running the other day and it was his call and he upped the ante with his speed and the volume and we got a fair bit out of him.
"I was a bit surprised but the upside of that is he didn't flare up the next day.
"... if he continues to improve and tick the boxes, we might get him back for next week."
Veteran forward Jacob Lillyman was a late scratching from last week's loss to Melbourne due to an abdominal strain.
Match Highlights: Knights v Storm
The injury was a byproduct of a groin complaint he'd been managing but it's nothing which will sideline him long-term.
"He's had a little bit of a groin issue over the last few weeks," Ayoub explained.
"We'd been managing that and unfortunately it loads up other areas. He did a slight abdominal strain on the left-hand side."
Injured players and expected return dates:
Tautau Moga (ACL, Season)
Jacob Saifiti (Shoulder, Round 24)
Jamie Buhrer (Knee, Round 19-21)
Mitchell Pearce (Pectoral, Round 18-19)
Daniel Saifiti (Foot, Round 18-20)
Nathan Ross (Groin, Round 16)
Jacob Lillyman (Abdominal strain, Round 16)
