The NRL says it is working with Newcastle and Melbourne to support players following Alex McKinnon’s on-field accident on Monday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Knights confirmed their back-rower had suffered “a devastating spinal injury” in a tackle involving Jordan McLean and Jesse and Kenny Bromwich.

McLean has been charged with a dangerous throw over the incident, which has been referred directly to the judiciary and deferred for an indefinite period.

NRL chief operation officer Jim Doyle said on Wednesday that the governing body’s priority was McKinnon and that they had been co-ordinating player welfare efforts with the Storm and the Knights.

“At this point in time, obviously our thoughts are with Alex and his family and our focus is very much on his welfare,” Doyle said.

“We are obviously concerned about anyone who has been involved and our welfare guys are working with both Newcastle and Melbourne and all the players.”

Doyle said he couldn’t give a possible date for the judiciary hearing.

“The (NRL) football department are working in regards to when is the appropriate time,” he said.

“Again our No.1 priority is with Alex and his family, that is why we have put that off. It’s not appropriate to do it now.

“From our point of view right now, it is just about Alex’s welfare and we will wait and see how things go from there.”

NSW coach Laurie Daley said he viewed McKinnon as a possible future State of Origin player and hoped he would make a full recovery.

“Sitting at home watching it made me a bit sick,” Daley said.

“Fingers crossed he is going to be ok.

“Everyone in the rugby league community is hoping for the best.

“My main thoughts are with Alex and his family. Hopefully he will be able to make a full recovery.

“Unfortunately accidents can occur in a contact sport but we never like to see these sort of injuries happen to anyone.”