MANLY coach Des Hasler says he hopes to have prop Jason King back within a few weeks after tests cleared him of a broken ankle that probably would have forced him out for the rest of the season. "He's had X-rays and scans and it's ligament damage," Hasler said yesterday. "It's not broken, which is great news for 'Kingy' and us. He'll probably be out for two or three weeks."

Hasler got the news he was expecting on five-eighth Jamie Lyon, who was confirmed as being out for four to six weeks with medial ligament damage to his knee. King and Lyon were hurt in Friday's win over Parramatta.

Sea Eagles halfback Matt Orford was a late withdrawal from that game with a groin injury and Hasler said it wouldn't be clear until later in the week if he would be fit to play Sydney Roosters at the SFS on Sunday. "But I'm optimistic," he added. Newcastle are set to get a much-needed boost with the anticipated return from injury of stars Danny Buderus and Steve Simpson for the game against South Sydney at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday. Hooker Buderus has been out for three games with a knee injury, while second-rower Simpson has missed two with ankle and hip problems.

It was feared halfback Jarrod Mullen could miss the Rabbitohs game because of a hip injury from Saturday's loss to Cronulla, but he is expected to play as well.

The Knights were in a battle with the NRL yesterday over club chief Steve Burraston's comments in The Newcastle Herald. "I think referees have a preconceived idea we're an undisciplined club and we give a lot of penalties away," Burraston said. "And they look for every minor thing they can possibly penalise us on."

The league hit the Knights with a breach notice for a $5000 fine and chief executive David Gallop said Burraston's comments were "a direct attack on a referee's integrity".

In other injury news, Penrith second-rower Frank Pritchard has been cleared to play against Wests Tigers at CUA Stadium on Saturday, but continues to battle an injured shoulder.

Bulldogs doctor Hugh Hazard said he expected star second-rower Sonny Bill Williams to be fit to play the Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Monday.

Elsewhere, the Dragons have signed Penrith hooker Luke Priddis on a two-year deal while the Cowboys have re-signed outside-back Mark Henry for two years and picked up Titans hooker Clint Amos for two years.

Souths hooker Issac Luke was the only one charged by the NRL match review committee and faces a one-match ban for a grade-one dangerous throw.