KNIGHTS enforcer David Klemmer will miss Saturday's blockbuster clash with Penrith in Bathurst and expects to miss at least another two more games as he recovers from knee surgery.
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Klemmer was a late withdrawal from last week's 26-4 victory against Wests Tigers after injuring his knee in the round-one win against Sydney Roosters.
What was initially thought to be a minor problem required arthroscopic "clean-up" surgery on Tuesday that is set to sideline the former Test prop for at least two weeks.
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The news is a cruel blow for Klemmer, who by all accounts trained the house down during the pre-season and looked ready to have a huge impact in 2022.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien, however, was optimistic that Klemmer's surgery was "nowhere near a major thing" and he would be sidelined for weeks, not months.
"It was just a little cleanout," he said.
"I'd anticipate he'd be back within a month.
"The worst-case scenario, it could have been 12-plus weeks. But instead it's just a cleanout and he could be good in under a month."
Klemmer told the Newcastle Herald he had his knee drained a couple of times after the Roosters game but it was to little avail.
"I got another scan and they could see a bit of a [cartilage] tear in there," he said.
"It's disappointing but what can you do, I can't control it. I got it done today so I'll be out for a few weeks. I'm looking at between three and six I reckon."
In Klemmer's absence, Newcastle will be hoping Origin forward Daniel Saifiti is cleared to return from a fractured leg against the Panthers.
Saifiti was named on Tuesday to start up front alongside his in-form twin sibling Jacob.
Meanwhile, back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon is set to visit a surgeon to determine if he too needs an operation after he limped off with a knee injury against the Tigers.
The Knights suffered a further setback when young back-rower Brodie Jones, who was expected to come into the squad to replace Fitzgibbon, tested positive to COVID.
Minus Klemmer, Fitzgibbon and Jones, rugged Mitch Barnett will switch from the engine room to the back row against Penrith.
The Panthers, who like the Knights are unbeaten in two starts this season, have named champion halfback Nathan Cleary in jersey No.24, raising the possibility of him being a late inclusion.
Cleary is yet to play this year because he underwent a shoulder reconstruction after his Clive Churchill Medal-winning performance in last year's grand final.
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