Ms Truscott said suggestions that the case against the former Newcastle Knights and their co-accused could not proceed because lawyers were waiting to see telephone intercept warrants "is a load of rubbish to me".

The prosecution case has been handled by a specialised Sydney-based section of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions because of its high-profile nature.

Mr Houston's barrister Peter Harper told Newcastle Local Court that negotiations with the prosecution were difficult and that a new prosecutor had only recently been assigned to the case.

Neither Mr Wicks nor Mr Houston appeared before the court.

Their cases were adjourned for three weeks.

Mr Wicks, who has been living with his parents in Yamba, is charged with six counts of supplying drugs and two counts of possession.

He has not entered pleas. He was arrested in December and was immediately stood down by the club.

Mr Houston was charged with four counts of supplying drugs and has not entered pleas.

He was issued a court attendance notice in March before his Knights contract was terminated.

Mr Wicks's brother and sister-in-law, Brett Wicks, 23, and Tristen Davenport, 26, of Maud Street, Grafton, have been charged with five counts each of supplying drugs.

They did not appear in court yesterday and have not entered pleas.

Christopher Ryan Jones, 21, of North Street, Grafton, has been charged with three counts of supplying drugs and single counts of possessing drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Steven Stefanovski, 29, of Denison Street, Broadmeadow, has been charged with two counts of supplying drugs.