Newcastle's finals hopes have taken a hit with NSW State of Origin hero Bradman Best to miss several weeks with a hamstring tear.
Best went down injured early in the Knights' loss to Brisbane on Saturday, before scans later revealed a grade-two tear.
Newcastle are unwilling to put a specific time frame on the centre's return, but it's expected he will miss several weeks.
There remains some possibility the 22-year-old's season could even be over with his recovery to be closely monitored.
Best has struggled with hamstring concerns in recent months.
He initially tore his left hamstring in May, ruling him out for two weeks and ending his chances of playing for the Blues in Origin I.
The centre then battled hamstring tightness in his right leg in the lead up to Origin III, before overcoming the issue to score the match-changing try.
His latest concern is the left hamstring, with the blow coming just 10 minutes into the clash against the Broncos while backing up from Origin.
Newcastle have the bye this week, followed by games against Penrith, Wests Tigers and Cronulla in the following three weeks.
It is likely they will need to win as many as five of their last six games to make the finals.
