KNIGHTS utility Kurt Mann faces a few weeks on the sidelines as last-placed Newcastle prepare to set up camp for back-to-back games in Queensland.
Club officials are monitoring Mann's ankle injury, suspected to be high-grade ligament damage, which sees him likely out for upcoming clashes with the Cowboys in Townsville and Bulldogs in Brisbane as part of Magic Round.
The Novocastrians are planning to stay north of the state border for the duration of that period before returning to host the Broncos in Newcastle on May 19.
He joins a casualty ward alongside the likes of Dane Gagai (cheekbone), Hymel Hunt (cheekbone), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (knee) and Jayden Brailey (Achilles) while Mitch Barnett (suspended) and new recruit Anthony Milford (contract) are also unavailable.
Between those seven players alone, the Knights are missing almost 1000 games of NRL experience.
Jirah Momoisea (elbow) and Fitzgibbon are potentially options for Saturday's clash with North Queensland while Barnett, Mat Croker (jaw) and Bailey Hodgson (elbow) are listed as possibilities to meet Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium on May 13.
Sauaso Sue (5th minute) and Phoenix Crossland (71st minute) both underwent a HIA on the weekend and didn't return to the field.
Knights halfback Adam Clune has been carrying a knee issue while five-eighth Jake Clifford was replaced shortly after half-time.
Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said "we're a chance of one or two back" against the Cowboys and the "sun will shine again on this team in terms of experience coming back".
However, he also added during Sunday's post-match press conference, that "I don't want to use that as an excuse" for six consecutive losses.
"I don't need those guys [100 gamers] to catch the ball from the kick off or kick off well," O'Brien said.
Asked if travelling together could benefit the Knights over the next fortnight, captain Kalyn Ponga reflected on last year's COVID bubble.
"To be honest yeah [it could be beneficial]," Ponga said.
"I sort of reflect on what we had to go through last year and I enjoyed that time being with the team and being in that environment. I think that brought the best out of us.
"I look forward to going away and working hard, that's the only way we're going to get out of this - working hard and staying together."
Jack Johns, who returned to first grade on the weekend, was handed a grade-one dangerous contact charge for a tackle on Storm star Cameron Munster. An early guilty plea, likely submitted on Tuesday, would see Johns fined $1000.
Tyson Frizell didn't have a case to answer despite being put on report.
The Knights have another trip to Queensland this month, playing the Warriors at Redcliffe on May 28.
