Mata’utia, who played in five NRL games for Newcastle last year, hurt his knee during a contact session on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old was in a brace yesterday and hoping that scans would provide a positive prognosis.

Knights high-performance manager Jeremy Hickmans said he suspected Mata’utia had ‘‘almost certainly’’ done damage to his medial ligament.

Torn medials generally take between two weeks and two months to repair.

‘‘We’re not sure how badly damaged it is at this stage, so I wouldn’t like to guess how long he’ll be out,’’ Hickmans said yesterday.

‘‘It will put him back a little bit, but he’s trained really well up until now and I’m sure he’ll work hard on his rehab and recovery.’’

Mata’utia had been expected to play for the Knights’ NSW Cup team in an trial match against the Newcastle representative side at Tomaree on Friday, February 3.

Newcastle then meet Penrith at Port Macquarie on February 11 and Cronulla at Muswellbrook on February 18, in preparation for their NRL season-opener on March1.

Mata’utia, a former Australian Schoolboy, debuted for Newcastle on the wing last season and also played a game at fullback.

He faces a formidable task trying to dislodge established stars Aku Uate, James McManus and Darius Boyd from Newcastle’s back three.

But the powerful youngster – one of four brothers on Newcastle’s books – is regarded as a long-term first-grader just biding his time.

Newcastle’s only other injury concern of the pre-season has been rookie playmaker Ryan Stig, who had knee surgery before Christmas.