Fighting desperately to stay in the NRL finals hunt, Brisbane are in danger of losing New Zealand international Alex Glenn for an extended period with a broken thumb.
Glenn suffered the fracture in the Broncos’ gritty 18-16 win over North Queensland on Friday night and is highly unlikely to line up against Newcastle this Friday.
The Kiwis back-rower was meeting with a Brisbane surgeon on Monday morning and may require an operation.
Fellow Brisbane representative players Sam Thaiday, Justin Hodges and Corey Parker also missed training at Red Hill on Monday but Queensland Origin teammate Matt Gillett insisted they were being rested and would play in Newcastle.
Former Maroons front-rower Ben Hannant could be a welcome addition to the Broncos forwards against the big Knights pack after ramping up his return from injury.
Brisbane’s two-point win over the Cowboys, stolen with a late Hodges try, kept their season alive and took them within four points of eighth-placed Newcastle.
“It was a bit of relief to finally get that win,” Gillett said.
“It was good fight by our boys.
“That second half, how much D (defence) we had to do and how many repeat sets they had on us and we kept them out for a (long) while.
“I think we took a lot of confidence out of that and hopefully we’re building something for this week as well.”