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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Max McKinney

Klemmer declares fitness for Knights' clash with Dragons in Wollongong

BACK: Knights prop David Klemmer has been named to play against the Dragons. Picture: Marina Neil

Newcastle prop David Klemmer has been named to return from a four-match injury spell and start in the front row against St George Illawarra on Sunday.

Klemmer's inclusion couldn't come at a better time for the injury-ravaged Knights, who have lost their past three matches and dropped to 11th on the ladder after five rounds.

Klemmer hasn't played since sustaining a knee injury in the club's season-opening victory over the Sydney Roosters.

The 28-year-old had arthroscopic surgery more than a week later after pulling out of the Knights' round-two win over Wests Tigers on the day of the match.

The Knights have at times been noticeably lacking punch through the middle in recent games with Klemmer's absence coupled by the loss of Lachlan Fitzgibbon (knee) after round two and Mitchell Barnett (suspension) after round three.

Klemmer told the Newcastle Herald he was confident of taking the field against the Dragons in Wollongong this weekend after rejoining the full squad for training.

"I'll play, I did the day today with them," Klemmer said on Tuesday night.

"I felt really good, really confident and I've done all the right things.

"There's no doubting that I'm right or anything like that."

Knights halfback Adam Clune was also named despite concerns about a knee injury he picked up against the Sea Eagles on Thursday.

But the Knights' head of medical Craig Catterick admitted Clune was no certainty to play against his former club on Sunday.

"He took some friendly fire from 'Randy' [Chris Randall] and he finished the game OK, but he has got a high-grade PCL," Catterick said.

"His knee is a little bit swollen and sore today.

"We will assess that and determine whether he plays or has a week or two off to see if that settles down."

Fan-favourite Edrick Lee is also set to make his long-awaited return to the NRL after being named to play his first NRL game in about 18 months in place of injured winger Dom Young.

Catterick confirmed Young, who suffered a knee injury against Manly, had undergone a similar operation to the one Klemmer did to repair cartilage damage.

He is expected to be out for at least a few weeks.

Jirah Momoisea, who dislocated his left elbow against the Sea Eagles, was not named in the 24-man squad.

Catterick said the club was waiting for swelling in the rookie forward's arm to subside to further assess his injury.

The Dragons, who have lost 12 of their past 13 games, named largely the same side that took to the field in last week's 24-12 loss to South Sydney.

However, George Burgess and Josh McGuire have been named on the bench. McGuire returns from suspension to play his first game of the year.

The Knights and Dragons will be playing for the Alex McKinnon Cup for the eighth time. McKinnon played for both clubs before suffering his career-ending injury while at the Knights in 2014.

Knights starting side

1 Kalyn Ponga (C)

2 Edrick Lee

3 Dane Gagai

4 Bradman Best

5 Enari Tuala

6 Jake Clifford

7 Adam Clune

8 David Klemmer

9 Chris Randall

10 Daniel Saifiti

11 Tyson Frizell

12 Brodie Jones

13 Kurt Mann

Interchange bench

14 Phoenix Crossland

15 Jacob Saifiti

16 Leo Thompson

17 Sauaso Sue

Extended squad

18 Simi Sasagi

19 Pasami Saulo

20 Tex Hoy

21 Jack Johns

22 Jaron Purcell

23 Dylan Lucas

24 Brayden Musgrove

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