http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15025168-23214,00.html
INJURY-STRICKEN Newcastle is planning to cap a dramatic few days by announcing it has signed former NSW Waratahs and recovering alcoholic Milton Thaiday.
Code switch ... Thaiday.
Thaiday is due in Newcastle to officially ink a deal with the embattled club, which is yet to win a game this season and recently lost play-maker Andrew Johns with a broken jaw.
Knights officials were tight-lipped last night, however a spokesman confirmed the club was talking to Thaiday.
A gifted outside back, Thaiday played 17 games with the Waratahs - including 12 in the Super 12 competition - primarily on the wing.
His last game for NSW was against the Pacific Islands on June 25 last year.
The 25-year-old's contract wasn't renewed at the end of the 2004 season after he checked himself into an Alcoholics Anonymous rehabilitation centre.
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie yesterday described Thaiday as a terrific person with loads of talent.
"Obviously he had some problems which we were involved in helping him get through," McKenzie said.
"I knew he was back starting to play league.
"He's a talented player. He just had a problem. Hopefully he's over that now."
Thaiday has a background in rugby league, having switched codes initially to take up his deal with the Waratahs.
As a teenager in Townsville, he attracted the attention of Sydney Roosters scout Arthur Beetson.
The gifted outside back played two seasons of league in Lismore, helping Northern Rivers to a country championship, before joining the Waratahs.
Milton, the cousin of Brisbane's promising forward Sam Thaiday, has been playing with Ballina in the Northern Rivers league this season.
"He's a good defender and a good attacker," McKenzie said.
"He wouldn't have any problem (in rugby league)."
Thaiday's imminent signing came as hooker Danny Buderus marked his return to the captaincy by declaring there would be no whingeing at the club over its recent run of outs.
