Daniel Saifiti spoke to the media yesterday and addressed his injury which saw him sidelined for the recent fixture against the Bulldogs.
Saifiti suffered a high-grade medial cruciate ligament injury to his left knee in the previous Round 22 win over the Cronulla Sharks.
The prop provided a positive assessment on his recovery and focused his attention towards a potential return date this season.
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“It’s only in its early stages so it’s hard to get a bearing on it,” Saifiti said.
“I’ve got a target and we’re trying to reach that.
“I think the first week of the finals, if we make it, is a realistic goal.
“Anything earlier is a massive bonus.”
The prop forward feared the worst when he endured the injury.
Saifiti was forced from the field on the 69th minute mark of the Sharks game after buckling under the weight of a Sharks tackle.
Many would have season D-Saf try to play on, but the injury proved too severe.
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“I thought my season was over,” Saifiti said.
“I have done a medial (ligament injury) in my other knee but it wasn’t as bad.
“I could feel it clicking as I was moving.”
However, the Origin representative aims to pull on the red and blue again this season.
While in a brace, the scans revealed no structural damage occurred.
“I’m still in a brace until the end of the week,” Saifiti said.
“We’ll just take it day-by-day.
“We’ll slowly pick up things next week and hopefully it gets better from there."
In the absence of the NSW forward, and David Klemmer (suspension), Daniel's brother, Jacob, will be leading the front-row against a strong Titans pack.
Along with key figures Sauaso Sue, Josh King and recent debutant Jirah Momoisea, Daniel says he has full confidence in the forward pack.
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“He’s ready for it,” Saifiti said on Jacob.
“He’s probably been our best prop all year.
“We’ve got Kingy, Jirah and Jesse Sue who will be helping so we’ll be fine."
Saifiti also spoke about the recent introduction of Momoisea to the top grade.
Having seen the 22-year-old work over the last two years, in spite of irregular football and a nasty injury, D-Saf was glowing in his praise of the newest inductee for the Newcastle Knights.
“Adam (O’Brien) came up and asked a few of the senior boys who should come in for me and Friz when we were out.
“No hesitation, everyone said Jirah.
“He’s worked hard to put himself in the position that he’s in. He obviously had that injury in pre-season and he’s had to work his backside off.
“He’s big, he’s fast and I think he’s the strongest in the club.
“I think that is a credit to him and how far he has come."
