The rookie from the tiny town who could be given the job of replacing King Kalyn

David Armstrong hails from a tiny town with less than 1,000 people. And with the Knights’ season on the line he could be given the job of replacing Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga.

David Armstrong. Picture: NRL Photos

A 23-year-old rookie who grew up in a tiny town on the NSW-Queensland border with a population of less than 1,000 has emerged as a potential saviour for Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien as he mulls over his options in the absence of superstar Kalyn Ponga.

The Knights were reeling on Monday after Ponga underwent scans that revealed he would be sidelined for up to four months - including the entirety of the State of Origin series - after suffering a Lisfranc injury to his foot.

It is understood Newcastle are optimistic he will be back this year but exactly when is in the hands of medical experts as he prepares to visit a specialist on Tuesday to discuss the next steps in his rehabilitation.

The news is not only a blow to Newcastle, but also to Queensland coach Billy Slater as he faces the reality of losing Ponga for all three Origin games. While Reece Walsh seemingly had a mortgage on the No.1 jersey, Ponga was a realistic chance to play off the interchange bench.

However, he will now watch the Origin series from the sidelines for the second year in a row - he ruled himself out of last year’s series as he made this way back from a series of head knocks.

Remarkably, Knights officials believe that Ponga suffered the injury about 13 minutes into the first half, meaning he played nearly 40 minutes with a serious foot problem.

Ponga appeared to injury his foot in the 13th minute. Picture: Fox League

Club officials are also believed to be bitterly disappointed at suggestions the injury had anything to do with a hip problem he has carried in recent weeks – they insist that the injuries are in no way related, a stance which has been backed by other medical experts.

Lisfranc injuries affect the bones or ligaments in the middle part of your foot and generally require surgery. Ponga will be unable to bear weight on the foot for six to eight weeks and will then need to regain fitness.

The good news is that Ponga is expected to play again this year - there were initial fears that the injury could end his season. O’Brien’s challenge is to make sure it doesn’t spell the end of Newcastle’s season given they are already on struggle street, having won only two of their opening seven games.

They had a mountain to climb before Ponga limped off Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon but it has become an even more difficult assignment given how important he is to Newcastle.

O’Brien will now weigh up his options to wear the No.1 jersey including David Armstrong, a lightning-fast 23-year-old who has handled himself in the NSW Cup and played his junior football in the sleepy town of Mungindi.

Earlier this year, he spoke about travelling 90 minutes to play games as a child before he moved to Goondiwindi, whose NRL graduates include former Cronulla winger Luke Covell and North Queensland premiership winner Ethan Lowe.

David Armstrong is in line to replace Kalyn Ponga. Picture: NRL Photos

Armstrong went on to play rugby union for three years while boarding at Toowoomba before finding his way to Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup. Now he is a serious option for O’Brien as the Knights coach looks to fill some of the biggest shoes in the game.

Armstrong aside, the club has high hopes for youngster Fletcher Sharpe and he would have come into contention but for an injury that has sidelined him in recent weeks.

The other option is veteran Dane Gagai, who missed the loss to the Bulldogs with a calf problem but should be back this week. The former Queensland centre has experience at fullback and O’Brien must decide whether he wants to weaken the centres by moving Gagai to the No.1 jersey.

English import Will Pryce is also on the club’s books and has experience at fullback in the Super League, although he has been playing five-eighth in the NSW Cup. Regardless of who takes over, the Knights face an uphill battle to save their season without their highest-paid and best player.

“Kalyn had scans on Monday morning confirming he has a Lisfranc injury,” Knights director of football Peter Parr said.

“The next steps will include seeing a surgeon and setting an injury management program.

“Unfortunately, at this stage it appears to be a long-term injury, with a return to play likely to be months rather than weeks.”