NRL | Unwanted Knights hooker Danny Levi among the potential targets for Manly following Manase Fainu's arrest

Fainu is currently in jail on remand following a court appearance on Tuesday after he was charged with stabbing a man at a church dance party in Sydney's west last Friday night.

As a result of the alleged offence, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg immediately announced the 21-year-old would be sidelined from the game under the code's no-fault stand down policy until the matter is fully heard in court.

It is unclear at this stage how long the case may take but the Sea Eagles potentially face the prospect of going into the 2020 season without an established top grade hooker after the club released Api Koroisau to join Penrith despite the Fijian having two years left on his deal at Brookvale.

While Levi has a year to run on his Newcastle contract and is preparing to start pre-season training with the club within the next fortnight, it is common knowledge the Knights would not stand in his way if an offer from a rival club materialised.

The Knights have signed Jayden Brailey from the Cronulla Sharks as their number one hooker for the next three seasons and have three talented young hookers in their ranks who have all played State of Origin at junior level in the past 12 months.

Levi's manager Mario Tartak has been shopping the Kiwi and Samoan international around for the past couple of months with a deal falling through at the Parramatta Eels at the last minute several weeks ago.

Ironically, Tartak also manages Fainu but he did not return calls from the Newcastle Herald yesterday.

Given that he is one of the most high profile hookers left on the market, Levi could potentially become a serious option for the Sea Eagles.

Unwanted Warriors veteran Issac Luke could be another potential option for Manly should they need one along with ex-Bulldogs hooker Michael Lichaa.

Luke had been linked to Manly as a possible back-up hooker for Fainu but earlier this month, it appeared he was more likely to sign a one-year deal with St George Illawarra although nothing has been confirmed.

Prior to his Eels' deal falling through, Levi met with Bulldogs coach Dean Pay but nothing eventuated and it's understood Tartak has also held talks on the Gold Coast with the Titans.

Nothing came of those negotiations but the Knights have remained confident Levi would find a new home before the 2020 season officially kicks off next March.

"There is still some movement to come in the playing ranks yet and clubs out there who will be after a hooker," a source said.

New Knights coach Adam O'Brien told the Newcastle Herald a fortnight ago he rates Brailey highly but also recognises that Levi has a contract with the club.

"It's not his fault he signed a contract with the club but at the same time, if there are guys we don't see as part of our future, there'll be some decisions that need to be made," he said. "But they are certainly not decisions I'd make in the public without sitting down with the player involved first along with the club and having a discussion about where things are at."

Whether Levi stays or goes will have a bearing on who the Knights potentially bring into their 2020 squad.

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