Key King feels better after learning scan results

Brad Newley has received some positive scan results and is vowing to return from his injured hamstring this season to help steer the Sydney Kings to the finals.

Brad Newley, pictured playing for Australia against New Zealand in August 2015, is confident he can help the Sydney Kings make the finals. Picture: Ross Setford

STAR Sydney swingman Brad Newley has vowed to return from his injured hamstring this season to help steer the Kings to the finals.

Newley feared the worst when he tweaked his hamstring against Perth in round 14 but has since received positive scan results.

The veteran sharp shooter now has his sights set on playing in the Kings' next home game against the New Zealand Breakers on Sunday, January 29.

"My goal is to try and play in the Breakers game and I'm doing all I can to get right and get back out there and help the team,” Newley said.

"The injury at the time wasn't great, but it's recoverable.

"I credit my physios - they've done a great job looking after me.

"But part of being a professional is looking after your body and giving yourself the best chance to be out there on the court.

"The scan came back and it wasn't as bad as what we thought, so I'm using the time to get it right.

"The good thing is I feel like it's getting better and the real test will come when I start to do some running.”

Newley missed last Friday's loss to the Breakers in New Zealand, but he used the time away from the court wisely.

In a bid to ramp up his recovery, he spent two days with NRL club the Wests Tigers.

"My physio does work with the Tigers as well, so I did a bit of conditioning with their rehab group and it was great,” Newley said.

"It was just good to be around the Tigers boys.

"They are an improving club and they've got big aspirations. I had a chat with Aaron Woods and (Jamal) Idris about where they are at and they look like they are going to have a pretty good team this year.

"Watching them go about their business was a good thing for me, plus I picked up a few ideas from them.”

Newley admits he isn't the best spectator, but says he has learnt invaluable lessons about Sydney's woes while watching from the sideline.

He says the fourth-placed Kings can still qualify for the finals despite having lost six of their past seven matches.

It's a challenge that will start with a must-win clash against the table-topping 36ers in Adelaide on Saturday night.

"There are things we can get better at, but we are not that far off,” he said.

"Watching on you can see all the little things we need to improve on.

"I think we are very close to getting our roll back together and we are definitely still in the hunt.

"That's why I think we can't give up.”

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Originally published as Key King feels better after learning scan results