Mixed news for Knights

The Newcastle Knights have received mixed news in the last twenty four hours with confirnation that Mark Hughes will not play again this season after tearing his cruciate ligament(knee) and will undergo a complete knee reconstruction and wont be available until next season.

On a positive front, grand final hero and powerhouse second rower, Ben Kennedy has been cleared to play this weekend against the Eagles at Energy Australia Stadium but his selection will not based on coach Micahel Hagan's wishes rather on Kennedy's and his self belief and confidence that his shoulder has healed sufficiently for him to return.

If Kennedy does return this week it will be off the interchange bench and if not he will be a definite starter for next weeks blockbuster against the Brisbane Broncos, also at Energy Australai Stadium.