West Tigers coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed fullback James Tedesco has been ruled out of Sunday’s NRL clash with Newcastle due to an ankle injury.

NSW star Tedesco, 24, did not play in the NRL last weekend and will head into the deciding State of Origin encounter in Brisbane on July 12 having not played a game since the Blues lost to Queensland in Sydney last month.

Kevin Naiqama is expected to shift to fullback for the Tigers’ cellar-dwellers battle with the Knights, with Malakai Watene Zelezniak to be drafted onto the wing.