NRL Early Mail: The latest team news ahead of round 20

UPDATE: Query over Newcastle superstar, concussions cause headaches for resurgent Wests Tigers and a big boost for the Sharks. Get all your early mail ahead of round 20 here.

NRL Early Mail heading into Round 20.

In key news:

— Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) rolled his ankle at Knights training and was unable to complete the session. Coach Nathan Brown was hopeful the star fullback would be right to face the Cowboys this weekend.

- More drama for Knights with five-eighth Connor Watson (ankle) did not train. Jack Cogger and Nick Meaney are expected to travel with the squad to Townsville tomorrow as cover

- Big boppers Jordan McLean and Matt Scott expected to play for the Cowboys after training on Tuesday

— Cronulla co-captain Wade Graham (groin) is expected to start on Thursday night against the Broncos after being rested at halftime last week as a precaution

— Sharks veteran Luke Lewis (calf) is expected to be named to return while Josh Dugan (leg) is still approximately two weeks away

— Wests Tigers, Robbie Farah, David Nofoaluma and Luke Garner will have to pass HIA protocols this week and must be in some doubt for this week’s game against the Bulldogs

— Mixed news for the Dragons with Tyson Frizell (hamstring) expected to play after being rested from the round 19 match against the Cowboys, Nene MacDonald (foot) will miss 1-3 weeks

— Penrith’s Jarome Luai left the field after 33 minutes with an ankle injury, his loss should be covered by the return of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring)

— Gold Coast Titan Jai Arrow (knee) appeared to aggravate the grade one posterior cruciate ligament tear he had suffered in Origin early in Saturday’s game and while he returned to the field the big man only played 45 minutes in the match

— Warriors hooker Issac Luke (calf) is questionable for Sunday’s match after leaving the field in the 51st minute of Sunday’s match against the Storm

— The Raiders welcome back Joseph Tapine (suspension) while prop Shannon Boyd (calf) is a chance to return also

— Fullback Alex Johnston (knee) left the field with under 10 minutes left to play on Saturday. The severity of the injury is unknown.

— The Manly Sea Eagles (pride) were deeply wounded on Sunday and there is conjecture the entire squad may not recover it in time for the match against the Panthers

BRONCOS V SHARKS

Thursday 26 July, Suncorp Stadium, 7:50pm

Broncos:

— Brisbane star Anthony Milford is free to play after copping a fine for pulling Penrith opponent Corey Harawira-Naera’s hair on Friday night. Josh McGuire was also caught on camera tugging at Harawira-Naera’s curly locks earlier in the game but escaped punishment.

Sharks:

— Cronulla co-captain Wade Graham missed the second half of the Sharks’ win over Canberra on Friday due to a groin injury. Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan is confident Graham had avoided serious injury and said he’d only kept the 27-year-old off as a precaution with scores at 22-6 in his team’s favour. Expect Graham to be named for the Sharks on Tuesday.

— Sharks veteran Luke Lewis (calf) is expected to be named to return while Josh Dugan (leg) is still approximately two weeks away

COWBOYS V KNIGHTS

Friday 27 July, 1300SMILES Stadium, 6:00pm

Cowboys:

- Big boppers Jordan McLean and Matt Scott expected to play for the Cowboys after training on Tuesday

Knights:

— Newcastle star Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) rolled his ankle at Knights training and was unable to complete the session. Coach Nathan Brown was hopeful the star fullback would be right to face the Cowboys this weekend.

- More drama for Knights with five-eighth Connor Watson (ankle) also failed to complete training Jack Cogger and Nick Meaney are expected to travel with the squad to Townsville tomorrow as cover

BULLDOGS V WESTS TIGERS

Friday 27 July, ANZ Stadium, 7:55pm

Bulldogs: To come

Wests Tigers:

— Wests Tigers, Robbie Farah, David Nofoaluma and Luke Garner will have to pass HIA protocols this week and must be in some doubt for this week’s game against the Bulldogs

SEA EAGLES V PANTHERS

Saturday 28 July, Lottoland, 3:00pm

Sea Eagles: To come

Penrith:

— Penrith’s Jarome Luai left the field after 33 minutes with an ankle injury, his loss should be covered by the return of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring)

RABBITOHS V EELS

Saturday 28 July, ANZ Stadium, 5:30pm

Rabbitohs:

— Fullback Alex Johnston (knee) left the field with under 10 minutes left to play on Saturday. The severity of the injury is unknown.

Eels: To come

STORM V RAIDERS

Saturday 28 July, AAMI Park, 7:35pm

Storm: To come

Raiders:

Second rower Joseph Tapine (suspension) while prop Shannon Boyd (calf) is a chance to return also

TITANS V WARRIORS

Sunday 29 July, Cbus Super Stadium, 2:00pm

Titans:

Jai Arrow (knee) appeared to aggravate the grade one posterior cruciate ligament tear he had suffered in Origin early in Saturday’s game and while he returned to the field the big man only played 45 minutes in the match

Warriors:

— Hooker Issac Luke (calf) is questionable for Sunday’s match after leaving the field in the 51st minute of the round 19 match against the Storm. Talking post-match coach Stephen Kearney told the New Zealand Herald that he expected Luke to play against the Titans. “[Luke’s] had a bit of an issue with it over the last couple of weeks so we’ll monitor it and see how he goes and get him rested and worked on and get him right for next week,” he said.

ROOSTERS V DRAGONS

Sunday 29 July, Allianz Stadium, 4:10pm

Roosters: To come

Dragons:

Mixed news for the Dragons with Tyson Frizell (hamstring) expected to play after being rested from the round 19 match against the Cowboys, Nene MacDonald (foot) will miss 1-3 weeks