So positive has been his progress, there are suggestions he may even play in the club’s final trial game a couple of weeks prior to their opening premiership clash if all goes well between now and then.

The Knights are believed to have two pre-season trials organised in February with Maitland Sportsground and Cessnock the likely venues.

Moga ruptured his anterior cruciate knee ligament for a fourth time last season in round four against the Dragons in Wollongong and it was originally thought he could miss the opening month of the 2019 season.

“Everyone is really happy with him and he is well ahead of schedule,”Knights official Troy Pezet said.

Knights fans desperately crying out for some good news on the signing front will have to wait just a little longer.

That is the inside word from the club as negotiations continue behind the scenes.

The likes of Parramatta centre Michael Jennings and Dragons utility Kurt Mann remain on the radar, while we keep hearing suggestions contracted props Dylan Napa and Trent Merrin could become potential options down the track.

With most clubs set to kick off pre-season training within the next three weeks, expect the movement of players to really start to ramp up.

He agreed to terms months ago so it’s a bit of a mystery why there has been nothing official out of the Sydney Roosters camp yet regarding Knights playmaker Brock Lamb’s signing.

Rest assured though, Lamb will be at Bondi when pre-season training kicks off for the defending premiers late next month.

We’re told Lamb met with coach Trent Robinson and was shown around the Roosters training facilities only a matter of days after the club’s grandfinal triumph over Melbourne Storm.

When Todd Edwards was reluctantly let out of the second year of his coaching contract at Lakes United to return to the Cessnock Goannas, a stipulation of his release was that he could not poach any Seagulls players for next season.

But we understand there might be an exception.

Lakes centre Josh Charles is keen to link with the Goannas because of an employment opportunity and Seagulls officials are seriously considering allowing him to go.

But there won’t be any other players from the grandfinalists joining him and that includes his brother Kodie.

The Newcastle Jets will wear black armbands when they kick off their A-League campaign tomorrow in Wellington out of respect for the sudden passing at just 52 of former Socceroos and Newcastle Breakers defender Darren Stewart.

Stewart, who made three appearances for the Socceroos, was a good mate of current Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna, with the pair playing together at NSL club APIA Leichhardt.

A tough defender, Stewart played the bulk of his career in Malaysia before turning to coaching and was sounded out for the Jets job back in 2014 by then CEO Robbie Middleby, who was another former teammate, before Phil Stubbins landed the gig.

Ken Sio’s manager Sam Ayoub wasn’t joking when he told the Newcastle Herald that he had run out of patience with the Knights over their “pathetic” offer to keep the no-frills winger for next season and would take his business elsewhere.

Less than two weeks after Ayoub’s spray at the club, Sio has signed a three year deal with English Super League club Salford for a whole lot more than the $120,000 one year deal offered by the Knights.

Sio will team up with another former Knight, Junior Sau, who is still on their books while controversial former Manly halfback Jackson Hastings is also at the Red Devils.

It started as a simple phone-call between mates on Christmas Day almost four years ago.

Ex-Knight Billy Peden rang former teammate Paul Harragon with an idea for a “challenge” to raise money for the Mark Hughes Foundation which is funding brain cancer research.

Out of that conversation was born the Kokoda Trail fundraising trek in 2016 that raised around $150,000 followed by last year’s epic Everest Base-camp adventure that ultimately raised $500,000 for the Foundation.

On Wednesday, Peden, Harragon, Hughes, Steve Crowe, Brad Godden and Luke Davico will be among a 37-strong party that includes club CEO’s, publicans, tradies and other locals heading to Borneo for a gruelling coast to coast trek that will include a 160 km mountain bike ride and a 100 km walk though unforgiving terrain.

Another ex-Knight and Man Shake creator Adam MacDougall has donated $100,000 towards the trip while nib health finds has also been a major supporter.

More than $280,000 has already been raised with Hughes hoping continued support could push that beyond $350,000. Anyone wanting to donate should go to www.markhughesfoundation.com.au 

Lakes United have pulled together a star-studded line-up for their Long Lunch fundraiser at the Swansea RSL next Friday.

Former top jockey and Newcastle councillor Allan Robinson will MC the lunch with Knights coach Nathan Brown and stars Kalyn Ponga and Connor Watson the special guests along with world-class comedian Paul Martell.

Tickets are $110 and include a two course lunch and drinks package but there aren’t too many left. Inquiries to Swansea RSL. 

Wests Group and Knights boss Phil Gardner has donated two overnight stays with breakfast at Anchorage Resort as the major raffle prize.

Meanwhile, Peter Ramplin will be a special guest at Lakes’ biennual 1974-75 team reunion at Tea Gardens this weekend. 

Prop Cameron King has knocked back four rival local clubs to re-sign with premiers South Newcastle.