Newcastle will be without Akuila Uate for the last two games of the NRL season after the winger underwent knee surgery.

The 26-year-old has missed a number of games in 2014 because of issues with his left knee, prompting the decision to go under the knife last week.

The surgery will allow Uate to rejoin the team for pre-season training later in the year.

The Knights are also set to miss fellow winger James McManus for the rest of the season with a foot injury.

Brothers Sione and Chanel Mata’utia have been playing on the wings in the absence of Uate and McManus.

The news is another blow for the club, after former Cronulla players Jeremy Smith and Kade Snowden accepted back-dated one-year doping bans from ASADA.

The Knights play Parramatta at Hunter Stadium on Saturday, before their last-round clash against St George Illawarra on September 7 also at home.