Gidley fit for Panthers clash

Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley looks set to be fit for next week’s home clash with Penrith.

Gidley’s torn knee cartilage suffered against Melbourne earlier this month has been a source of great frustration for the 29-year-old.

However, thanks to an extended break thanks to a bye and the recent representative fixtures, Gidley has been afforded more time than usual for his recovery

“I’ve been doing my work in rehab, I started running and doing a bit of gym and that sort of thing and everything is on track hopefully for next game against Penrith,” Gidley said.

“It’s the perfect time to get ourselves right and look after ourselves injury-wise to make sure we do everything we can to get back on the park.”

An inconsistent start to 2012 season sees the Knights just outside the top eight in the NRL table in tenth position.

“We’d like to be in a better position rather than three wins and four losses, but we’ve had a couple of tough games and a couple games where we haven’t really played to the best of our ability or what we expect of each other,” added Gidley.

“Maybe with this little break with a few guys playing rep footy and a few others having a rest, we’ll come back nice and refreshed and play to the way we’ve been training and what’s asked by the coaches.”