Newcastle Knights halfback Andrew Johns - arguably the world's No.1 rugby league player - has been given the go ahead to resume full training with the Newcastle Knights.

Knights skipper Johns , recovering from a serious neck injury , received the green light from Professor John Yeo and will start full contact training with Newcastle next week.

After examining an MRI scan taken this week, Professor Yeo said he was happy that Johns could resume full training.

Johns had already begun light pre-season training with the Knights almost a fortnight ago.

Johns had to withdraw from the current Kangaroos tour because of the neck injury sustained at the end of the 2003 National Rugby League season.