NRL

Things just keep getting better for the Newcastle Knights with news one of their top forwards in 2026 could be set for a stunning injury return next weekend.

Read more Brazil Blocks More Than 66,000 Illegal Betting Domains and Issues R$18 Million in Fines

Only eight weeks after it was thought his 2026 season was over after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in Round 21, there’s growing confidence Dylan Lucas will be included in the Knights squad to take on the New Zealand Warriors next Sunday afternoon at Eden Park.

That’s according to journalist Barry Toohey from the Newcastle Herald who says 26-year-old Lucas is a ‘big chance to be named’ next week in what would be a massive physical and emotional boost as the Knights attempt to end the Warriors’ season and earn a preliminary final berth in Week 3 of the NRL finals in Sydney.

Taken from McDonald Jones Stadium on a medicab with a severe ankle fracture and dislocation in Newcastle’s 23-22 loss to Sydney Roosters back on July 24, Lucas underwent surgery and originally wasn’t expected to be seen again until 2027.

MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 NRL Finals

According to NRL Physio Brien Seeney, if Lucas was indeed able to play against the Warriors it would set a new NRL record for the fastest recovery time from this type of ankle injury, the previous mark being 10 weeks set by former Roosters and Knights forward Aidan Guerra back 2019.

Read more Boxing

Of course being named and actually playing are two very different things as we’ve already seen with Roosters star Angus Crichton this week. 

But even if Lucas doesn’t play, should the Knights win in Auckland it raises the very real possibility that he could remarkably be seen on an NRL field again in 2026, with a spot in Kevin Walters’ Kangaroos 2026 World Cup squad also very much on the cards in October.

Dylan Lucas is considered a “big chance” to be named in the Knights extended squad to play the Warriors next week (via @BarryToohey)

If Lucas is able to prove his fitness would be an 8 week return to play after he suffered an ankle fracture dislocation in Round 21. Previous… pic.twitter.com/Nw2NaFaM0V

Read more NRL

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 13, 2026