NSW skipper Paul Gallen has suffered a knee injury early in Cronulla’s NRL clash with Newcastle.

Gallen lasted just two minutes of the Sunday afternoon clash when he injured his right knee during an awkward tackle from Newcastle back-rower Chris Houston.

Gallen reportedly told trainers he heard a pop in the knee and immediately went into the sheds to assess the damage.

Any injury to the inspirational forward would throw NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley’s plans into disarray.