Johns awaits MRI results

Newcastle Knights captain Andrew Johns is anxiously awaiting the results of an MRI scan which will determine the full extent of a season-ending knee injury.

Johns suffered the injury during Newcastle?s narrow loss to the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night and was immediately taken from the field by medi-cab.

The Knights have called a press conference tomorrow morning where they will give details of the full extent of the injury, which is not expected to see Johns back on the field until 2005.

The Knights skipper has already ruled out the possibility of retirement and has vowed to fightback from yet another devastating injury.

?One thing I will say is that regardless of how things turn out, I?m determined to fight back from this and get back onto the playing field,? Johns said.

?Obviously a cruciate ligament tear is tragic at any time, but the fact that it has occurred to me so early in the year, and after such a strong off-season, makes it all the more so.?

Johns is planning to play a hands on role in assisting the Knights during the rest of their 2004 campaign, and has asked for his privacy to be respected has he comes to terms with the injury.

Last year, it was a neck injury that prematurely ended Johns? season.