Injury update: Health check ahead of pre-season return

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Mon 9 Sep 2019, 12:38 PM

The nib Newcastle Knights will start pre-season training in November with almost every NRL squad member at full fitness.

With the exception of Beau Fermor, who is recovering from an ACL, the Knights’ injury unit will be vacant when the team returns for training.

Injury report: Sione, Mann, Lee and juniors

Sione Mata’utia went down with a knee injury in the last game of the season and will spend the next month rehabbing it in order to be ready come November.

“On the back of an extremely disappointing day yesterday, Sione went down in the first set of the game and tweaked his MCL,” Head of Physical Performance, Balin Cupples said.

“It’s a moderate level strain. For Sione, it’s going to be a four to five weeks of recovery and rehab. It’s a tough way to finish for Sione, he’s had a pretty consistent year.”

Kurt Mann also failed to finish the game against Penrith on Sunday as a result of a head-knock.

LISTEN TO THE ROBBIE O’DAVIS PODCAST BELOW!

IF YOU'RE READING ON THE APP AND WANT TO LISTEN TO THE PODCAST - CLICK HERE!

“Kurt just had a head knock and failed his concussion protocols when he came off and failed to return,” Cupples said.

“It was the first one Kurt’s had this season, so he should follow normal protocols this week and should be back come pre-season.”

Looking towards 2020, Edrick Lee has been given a clean bill of health, having fully recovered from a broken arm.

“Edrick Lee’s officially out of that comeback crew, he was always going to be right on the borderline for this week as we discussed last week, and just missed the cut. Eddies healthy now and will have his time off and come back ready to go,” Cupples said.

Phoenix Crossland (foot) and Pasami Saulo (finger) are also poised to be given the green light to return to full training after the mandatory break.

“Phoenix has still got the next month to build through some protocols with our comeback crew two to three times a week over the next three weeks,” Cupples said.

“Same with Pasami with his finger, he’ll continue running.”