Newcastle will solely present a return-to-play timeline for Kalyn Ponga as soon as he returns from a visit to Canada, the place he’ll search specialist remedy for the most recent in a string of concussions.
The Knights co-captain’s speedy enjoying future has been in severe doubt since he knocked himself out making an attempt a sort out early within the Spherical 2 win over Wests Tigers.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: One other severe concussion for Ponga.
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The concussion was Ponga’s fourth in 10 months and offered a remaining push for the NRL to vary its head-injury protocols, mandating an 11-day lay-off for any participant who suffers a head knock.
Ponga missed the ultimate six weeks of final season recovering from concussion, and this time across the Knights have been reluctant to place a timeline on his comeback as head-injury administration stays a hot-button matter within the NRL.
Whereas Ponga continues his restoration, the Knights have been consulting with Professor Chris Levi of the College of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Analysis Institute.
On Friday, the membership shared probably the most important replace on his situation since Spherical 2.
Following discussions with Professor Levi, the Knights decided Ponga would fly to Canada on Friday with the membership’s chief medical officer Dr Jin Lee to hunt specialist remedy.
In Vancouver, Ponga will endure testing utilizing a tool measuring mind exercise that isn’t but accessible in Australia.
Solely after the Knights obtain the outcomes of those checks will the membership start contemplating when Ponga may make his return to the NRL.
“Administration of concussion is a fancy situation for everybody concerned, we see this as a possibility to assemble further info to help Kalyn in his restoration,” Knights head of soccer Peter Parr mentioned.
“Our broader goal, beneath the steering of Professor Levi, is to develop a mannequin of care that may advance our capability in supporting gamers with concussion.
“Kalyn stays in good spirits and needs to thank everybody who has inquired about his well being.”
Ponga’s journey to Canada follows related restoration missions to the USA by rival fullbacks Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell and Ryan Papenhuyzen prior to now 12 months.
All three consulted with Philadelphia-based specialist Invoice Knowles in a bid to shake off long-standing leg points.
