Knights star Kalyn Ponga has stated his current journey to Canada for neurological testing has confirmed “reassuring” as he readies for a return to motion.
The Round 8 fixture towards the Cowboys in Townsville on April 22 is the anticipated return date for Ponga, establishing a conflict towards the crew he began his profession with.
Ponga has been sidelined since copping a sickening head knock within the second minute of the Knights spherical 2 match towards the Tigers.
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As it was the 25-year-old’s fourth concussion in 10 months, the Knights took the step of sending Ponga to Canada for superior neurophysiological testing on his mind which is unavailable in Australia.
“I’m good. Four weeks ago there was talk about retirement,” Ponga advised Knights floor announcer Glen Hawke previous to his facet’s sport towards the Warriors on Sunday.
“We got the best result I could over there … I got cleared on the brain perspective and that you are able to go back and play.
“To go over to Canada and get clarity about what I am doing and what I can do, it’s reassuring for me.
“It shouldn’t be too long until I am back, I just have to get match fit and then I will be ready to go.
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“I just want to get back on the field, doing what I love with the boys.”
Ponga additionally wished to thank the followers who reached out with “messages of support” over the previous month.
“When you go through something like that … The amount of support and love I got from Newcastle and all my family and friends, was awesome.”
Knights soccer director Peter Parr stated in a press release final week that Ponga “has recovered well from his recent concussion.”
“We are comfortable with the objective evidence from our independent testing, indicating normalisation of his cognitive function,” Parr stated.
“We will now focus on building his physical and tactical performance, with an aim to return in Round 8 against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.”
Despite the absence of the Queensland consultant, the Knights are flying excessive, shifting right into a high eight after Sunday’s win with a report of three wins, two losses and a draw.
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Coach Adam O’Brien mentioned the “road map” for Ponga’s return in his post-match press convention.
“There’s everything from footy contact, to the type of tackles we think he’ll experience as well as a bit of boxing,” O’Brien stated.
“A lot of thought has gone into it all and we’ve actually started some of it but rather than me going and handing it all over everyone we’ll just go about it over the next few weeks.
“And then we’ll work out whether he’s right to go and if he’s not we’ll wait another week.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au