Injury curse continues to bite the Knights hard in opening round win

Already without big names Kalyn Ponga, Blake Green, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Edrick Lee to start the season, their cursed injury run shows no signs of letting up.

Scan results today are expected to confirm a knee medial ligament tear for five-eighth Kurt Mann, which could sideline him for more than a month, while there are clouds over the fitness of winger Starford To'a, centre Bradman Best and utility Connor Watson following Newcastle's 32-16 opening round victory over the Dogs at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday night.

To'a sustained damage to the AC joint in his right shoulder in scoring a spectacular first half try in the eastern corner with scans set to determine the full extent of his problem. He had the shoulder heavily strapped at halftime and carried his arm noticeably in the second half.

Best, who has been plagued by foot and ankle problems over the past few seasons, picked up another injury in the same area when he scored a try in the second half before being replaced with 17 minutes left in the game. He's also had scans.

Coach Adam O'Brien was optimistic after the game Best had suffered no serious damage. But at the very least, both are considered doubtful starters for the side's round two clash against the Warriors on Friday night in Gosford.

Watson, who came off the bench replacing Mann at five-eighth, got through the game, pulling off a spectacular late try-saving tackle despite needing attention early in the second half for an ankle problem.

He had his ankle heavily strapped at the time on the field and was spotted leaving the ground in a moon boot afterwards. But it's understood the boot was only a precaution and he is confident he will be right to take on the Warriors.

O'Brien doesn't have a cupboard full of options for a worst-case scenario.

Gehamat Shibasaki is the logical replacement in the centres if Best is out while teenage English recruit Dominic Young and Cessnock's Brayden Musgrove will come into contention for an NRL debut if To'a doesn't play.

With veteran playmaker Blake Green still a few weeks away from a return, Watson could find himself starting outside Mitchell Pearce in the halves provided he is right to go with youngsters Phoenix Crossland and Simi Sasagi also in contention.

Crossland started at five-eighth alongside Pearce in the pre-season trial against Melbourne moe than a fortnight ago but did not play for the Knights in their NSW Cup loss to Mounties on Friday after being suspended for one game and fined by the NRL for an off-field incident during the off-season.

Sasagi can cover a number of positions and was close to winning a bench spot for the Bulldogs game. Another potential option is backrower Jack Johns, who captained the NSW Cup side and could potentially provide cover in the halves.

The Warriors, under former Knights coach Nathan Brown, were impressive first up winners over the Titans with their forward pack outstanding.

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