Newcastle will need to make the NRL finals for Daniel Saifiti to play again this season after a high-grade MCL injury has been confirmed for the co-captain.
In a blow to the Knights pack, the NSW Origin prop is expected to miss between three and five weeks with the injury to his left knee suffered in their 16-14 win over Cronulla on Sunday.
It happened while Saifiti was on the charge for the line late in the game with Sharks prop Aiden Tolman falling awkwardly on his leg.
The 25-year-old attempted to play on with heavy strapping but was taken from the field soon afterwards.
The club said there was no structural damage to the knee and the time frame for his return to play will depend on how he responds to treatment.
It will also hinge on whether the seventh-placed Knights can make the finals for the second year in a row.
The win over the Sharks put them into the top eight for the first time since round three, two points ahead of Gold Coast and Canberra (20).
On 18 points, the Sharks, St George Illawarra, Warriors and Wests Tigers are all hunting for a finals spot too in a furious finish to the season.
The next three weeks are crucial for the Knights with games against Canterbury, the Titans and Brisbane.
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