Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett hasn’t ruled out the prospect of skipper Kurt Gidley returning for the Knights’ NRL clash with Canberra on Sunday evening.
Gidley missed the impressive 34-6 win over North Queensland with a calf injury but young halfback Tyrone Roberts was a more than able deputy, leaving Bennett with a potential selection headache.
The seven-time premiership-winning coach refused to be drawn on whether Gidley, who sat out training on Thursday, would be restored to the starting line-up ahead of Roberts should he be passed fit.
“Kurt is going good, he may be right,” Bennett said.
“But at this point in time he’s not playing. We’ll just have to wait and see.
“If he’s ready he’ll play.”
Prop Willie Mason is also battling a calf complaint and is rated as doubtful by Bennett for the visit of the Raiders to Hunter Stadium.
“There’s a chance, but if he’s not ready then he won’t play,” he said.
Gidley’s absence had no ill-effect on the Knights against the Cowboys with Roberts showing great quality at halfback as Jonathan Thurston and co. were put to the sword.
That performance was in complete contrast to the limp display Bennett’s side produced in the 32-0 loss to Manly in round two.
Bennett admitted he never saw that result coming against the Sea Eagles and said his team needed to find some consistency if they are to have any success this season.
“Consistency, that is the key,” Bennett said.
“There’s no secret, it’s as much about routine as anything else.
“I wasn’t `unconfident’ last week, but I wasn’t expecting what happened at Manly either.
“But if you prepare well you have a chance. I do know that this team has prepared well.”