Newcastle Knights recruit Rory Kostjasyn’s NRL career in balance due to throat injury

THE pre-season throat injury that has sidelined Newcastle hooker Rory Kostjasyn could end his career before it even gets off the ground at the Knights.

Knight's newcomer Rory Kostjasyn hits the training paddock for the first time this season in Newcastle. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

THE pre-season throat injury that has sidelined Newcastle hooker Rory Kostjasyn could end his career before it even gets off the ground at the Knights.

While Kostjasyn remains hopeful of a breakthrough in his recovery, there is a genuine fear he may be forced to retire without playing a game for his new club.

The former premiership-winning Melbourne Storm and Cowboys hooker is still troubled by breathing problems three months after catching an accidental elbow at training despite two operations on his windpipe to repair the damage.

Kostjasyn may never play again.

Asked how long Kostjasyn faced on the sideline, coach Nathan Brown’s prognosis was not encouraging.

“I’d say it’s indefinite,’’ Brown said.

“We’re not sure, to be honest with you. We’re not sure if he’ll come back in two weeks, or four weeks, or if he’ll come back. We don’t know at this stage. But it’s not positive at the moment.’’

Asked if the injury could be career ending, Brown said: “That would be a possibility.”

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The doubt over Kostjasyn’s future continues a horror run of misfortune for the Knights, who lost senior player Jamie Buhrer for two months with a fractured foot at training last Thursday.

“We’re in a situation where we’ve got our two most experienced players — and the two players that have got any sort of profile that we brought to the club this year — unfortunately Rory hasn’t played yet and Jamie’s had what happened to him,’’ Brown said.

“And the Jarrod Mullen situation. Mullo’s our highest-paid player and we’re still paying him, and he can’t play. It certainly tells at pressure times.’’