Newcastle Knights signing Rory Kostjasyn talks about throat injury that resulted in hit from Danny Levi

KNIGHTS recruit Rory Kostjasyn reveals his voice will never be the same again as he prepares to undergo surgery after a freak training accident.

Rory Kostjasyn is set to undergo the knife for a throat injury.

NEWCASTLE recruit Rory Kostjasyn has conceded, somewhat croakily, that his voice will never totally recover from the freak training accident for which he finally goes under the knife this week.

And in an ironic twist to his horror tale, the new Knight also confirmed it was a collision with the rising star he’s been signed on to mentor — hooker Danny Levi — which fractured the Cricoid cartilage in his neck.

After last week fronting the NRL season launch as stand-in Knights captain, Kostjasyn will now undergo surgery on Friday.

But as for repairing those vocal chords which currently sits somewhere between Tommy Raudonikis and The Simpsons’ Selma Bouvier?

Rory Kostjasyn is set to undergo the knife for a throat injury.

“It’s never going to be 100 per cent again, unfortunately,’’ Kostjasyn said.

“Sounds awful too, doesn’t it? Thankfully, the only time it gets real painful is at the end of days where I’ve talked too much or too loudly.

“And it could definitely be worse. I’ve been told the operation will probably get my voice back to about 90 per cent which definitely isn’t too bad.

“It still gets a little sore but I think the worst is over.”

Then after he short pause, he adds: “Well, the surgery doesn’t sound real great, either.

“Over the past few weeks it’s been frustrating because I’m training hard but not getting to do the fun stuff. I feel a little helpless at times but, as I said, it could definitely be worse.”

And as for rumours suggesting it was Levi who thwacked him in the unfortunate training mishap?

“Yeah, Danny Levi,’’ he laughed.

“And I hate to name names but ... yeah, sorry, Danny you did it.

“But look, that’s footy

“We’re playing a contact sport where accidents happen. And it certainly could be a lot worse.”

The Knights are expecting big things from Danny Levi in 2017.

Levi, who is himself coming off back surgery, has been tipped for a massive 2017 season.

Only a few weeks ago, Knights coach Nathan Brown suggested the rising No. 9 could be the man who ends the nine-year Test career of Kiwi Isaac Luke.

“Danny’s a tremendous talent, isn’t he?” Kostjasyn said.

“The only reason I’m down here is to help him transition into being that first choice Newcastle hooker for a long, long time.

“He’s only young so physically he will develop. Still needs to get used to those demands of week in, week out first grade footy too.

“But if he continues to work hard he’s going to be a tremendous talent.”

Initially tipped to be out of action for up to 12 weeks, the 2015 premiership winner is hoping to be back sooner.

“After the surgery, it will still be a few weeks before I can play,’’ Kostjasyn said.

“Right now, I’ve got a few predictions about when I’ll be back but it’s no use really saying anything until after the surgery.

“That’s when the doctors can tell me exactly what’s been done and what the recovery will be.”