KNIGHTS back-rower Mitchell Barnett will miss the next three games after taking the early guilty plea for a crusher tackle on Melbourne fullback Jahrome Hughes in Saturday's 34-4 loss to the Storm.
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Barnett was charged with grade-three dangerous contact for the 35th-minute incident. Had he challenged it at the judiciary and been unsuccessful, he would have been out for five games.
The 25-year-old, who has appeared in 31 consecutive games for Newcastle, will miss home fixtures against Brisbane, the Warriors and Canterbury.
Throw in this week's bye, and he faces a month on the sidelines.
His unavailability will be partially offset by the successful return from a broken ankle of former Test forward Aidan Guerra, who played 80 minutes in reserve grade on the weekend.
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