Injury-plagued star Brett Stewart to begin Manly pre-season in a desperate attempt to extend career

A CHRONIC knee injury has long threatened to end Brett Stewart’s playing days, but the champion fullback is refusing to give in after returning to training.

Brett Stewart is set to return to pre-season training on Tuesday. Picture: Jerad Williams

BRETT Stewart is expected to return to Manly training on Tuesday in a desperate attempt to continue his stellar NRL career.

A chronic knee injury has long threatened to end Stewart’s playing days, but the champion fullback refuses to give in.

The two-time premiership winning flyer will resume duties at the club’s Narrabeen base as he looks to return to the field in 2017.

Stewart’s career has been plagued by injury. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Stewart had been granted extended leave as he seeks to overcome his troublesome knee injury.

He was restricted to just 11 games last season and struggled to produce his brilliant best when he donned the boots.

However, Stewart is determined to honour the final season of his contract at Manly.

The 31-year-old, who has scored an impressive 163 tries in 231 first grade games, also wants to receive a farewell from the Brookvale faithful after over a decade of loyal service.

Stewart scores against the Titans last year.

Whether this happens, depends solely on Stewart’s knee and how it responds when he returns to pre-season training.

The Sea Eagles also view rising star Tom Trbojevic as the club’s long-term fullback.

Tom and brother Jake have committed to Manly until the end of the 2020 season on a package deal worth over $5 million dollars.

Originally published as Injury-plagued star Brett Stewart to begin Manly pre-season in a desperate attempt to extend career