TOWERING English winger Dom Young has joined Newcastle's alarming list of casualties after limping from the field during the 30-6 loss to Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night.
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Young, Newcastle's emerging strike weapon, suffered an injury to his right knee when he dived over in the right corner, only for the video-review bunker to rule no-try because of an obstruction in the lead-up play.
The 20-year-old left the field in the 20th minute and was unable to return.
"I don't think it's ACL but I think it's very similar to the one on the other leg last year that kept him out for a period," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said after the game.
Young is facing possible surgery and weeks, if not months, on the sidelines.
In his absence, Edrick Lee could be in line for an emotional NRL recall when the Knights play St George Illawarra in Wollongong on Sunday week.
Lee has not played in the top grade for 18 months after breaking a bone in his foot, but he recently returned in NSW Cup and has proven his fitness.
O'Brien's other option is experienced Hymel Hunt, who has been named to return from a knee injury in NSW Cup tomorrow.
Newcastle's other injury concerns on Thursday night were bench forward Jirah Momisea, who suffered a dislocated elbow, and halfback Adam Clune, who bravely battled on with a knee problem. They already have David Klemmer, Jayden Brailey, Mitch Barnett and Lachlan Fitzgibbon unavailable through injury or suspension.
Meanwhile, Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga did his best to sidestep questions about his contractual soap opera after Thursday's game.
"I don't know if you notice, but every time you ask me I don't give you an answer," Ponga said when asked about his lunch with Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett. "So stay patient, I've got people working on it. My focus is always here."
