HOME-grown Tex Hoy is in line to make his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights - whenever they are cleared to resume playing.
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With dynamic fullback Kalyn Ponga facing a week out through suspension, 20-year-old Hoy appears the logical candidate to replace him, if and when the NRL competition resumes after the coronavirus crisis.
Ponga has been charged with a grade-one shoulder charge on rival Corey Thompson in the 72nd minute of Newcastle's 42-24 win against Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
The charge carries a 240-point penalty - which equates to a two-game ban - but Ponga can reduce it to one match by pleading guilty and receiving a 25 per cent discount.
Knights officials would be expected to opt for the early plea, which will create an opening for Hoy, who starred in the pre-season and is rated one of Newcastle's brightest prospects.
Meanwhile, the NRL hiatus will give Mitch Barnett a chance to recover from the shoulder injury he suffered against the Tigers.
Barnett had scans taken on Monday and was expecting to get the results on Tuesday.
