Gidley happy with progress

Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley says he is confident of regaining full fitness after missing much of last season with a shoulder injury.

Gidley, 30, was forced to sit out two thirds of the NRL season and miss the Origin series after suffering a shoulder dislocation in the round 8 match against Penrith.

But speaking after the Knights’ first pre-season training session last week, Gidley said he is ready to take full part.

“It has been a long pre-season for me and a long time since I have played a game,” Gidley told the Knights’ official website.

“This is the first step for me and it is feeling really good at the moment.

“I did a pretty hard rehab through to the start of October and the trainers and surgeon are really happy with the progress.”

The Knights struggled after losing Gidley with rookie halfback Tyrone Roberts forced to fill in for the experienced NSW Blues and Australia representative

But Gidley says he is ‘focussed’ on staying fit for the upcoming campaign for the Knights, who have signed forwards Jeremy Smith, David Fa’alogo and Beau Scott.

“I had a bit of a break during October and basically I am right to start almost everything now,” added Gidley.

“I am focusing on the next eight weeks and making sure my shoulder is really strong.”