Knights star Kalyn Ponga has said his recent trip to Canada for neurological testing has proven “reassuring” as he readies for a return to action.
The Round 8 fixture against the Cowboys in Townsville on April 22 is the expected return date for Ponga, setting up a clash against the team he started his career with.
Ponga has been sidelined since copping a sickening head knock in the second minute of the Knights round 2 match against the Tigers.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
As it was the 25-year-old’s fourth concussion in 10 months, the Knights took the step of sending Ponga to Canada for advanced neurophysiological testing on his brain which is unavailable in Australia.
“I’m good. Four weeks ago there was talk about retirement,” Ponga told Knights ground announcer Glen Hawke prior to his side’s game against the Warriors on Sunday.
“We got the best result I could over there … I got cleared on the brain perspective and that you are able to go back and play.
“To go over to Canada and get clarity about what I am doing and what I can do, it’s reassuring for me.
“It shouldn’t be too long until I am back, I just have to get match fit and then I will be ready to go.
Knights hold off Warriors at home | 02:31
MORE NRL NEWS
TEAM TIPS: Dogs’ mammoth $1.5m boost; Panthers backrow headache emerges
HOOPS: The coaching ‘masterstroke’, brutal truths that flipped NRL on its hard
DRAGONS: NRL’s sticky decision as Dragons bosses make desperate bid for relief
“I just want to get back on the field, doing what I love with the boys.”
Ponga also wanted to thank the fans who reached out with “messages of support” over the past month.
“When you go through something like that … The amount of support and love I got from Newcastle and all my family and friends, was awesome.”
Knights football director Peter Parr said in a statement last week that Ponga “has recovered well from his recent concussion.”
“We are comfortable with the objective evidence from our independent testing, indicating normalisation of his cognitive function,” Parr said.
“We will now focus on building his physical and tactical performance, with an aim to return in Round 8 against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.”
Despite the absence of the Queensland representative, the Knights are flying high, moving into a top eight after Sunday’s win with a record of three wins, two losses and a draw.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Coach Adam O’Brien discussed the “road map” for Ponga’s return in his post-match press conference.
“There’s everything from footy contact, to the type of tackles we think he’ll experience as well as a bit of boxing,” O’Brien said.
“A lot of thought has gone into it all and we’ve actually started some of it but rather than me going and handing it all over everyone we’ll just go about it over the next few weeks.
“And then we’ll work out whether he’s right to go and if he’s not we’ll wait another week.”
