Newcastle fullback Robbie O'Davis will play the rest of the NRL season with a fractured jaw in the hope of ending his rugby league career with a premiership ring.
O'Davis suffered the injury while tackling opposite number Karmichael Hunt during the Knights' 16-12 loss to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
The 31-year-old O'Davis doesn't want to finish his career on a sour note after being restricted to just nine NRL matches this year in a season marred by injuries.
"I spoke to him at the gym this morning and he mentioned he didn't really want to go out the back door with a broken jaw when this is the end of his career," said teammate Matt Parsons, who will also hang up the boots at the end of 2004.
"He's basically saying he's prepared to play with a crack in his jaw for the sake of still playing.
"I'd expect nothing different from Robbie. He's been one of the greatest players the club's ever had.
"It's a reflection of his attitude that he's willing to do that."
O'Davis has visited facial surgeon Paul Coceancig, who performed season-ending surgery on Steve Simpson after the Knights forward also suffered a broken jaw in the Broncos match.
Coceancig cleared O'Davis to play against North Queensland at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday and coach Michael Hagan had no hesitation in naming the veteran of 216 first grade matches for Newcastle in his side.
"The specialist was happy for him to play and he was confident he would get through a game of football and that's why the decision was made," added Hagan.
"Robbie's obviously confident he can get through a game as well. We'll get the commitment and qualification from the specialist and just make sure.
Club doctor Peter McGeoch said O'Davis, who has a hairline fracture, would be monitored closely at training this week.
O'Davis is also mindful that his side needs all the help they can get to avoid becoming the first Knights outfit to miss the finals since 1996.
Newcastle has three current internationals who will not play again this season - Andrew Johns, Timana Tahu and Simpson - while Country Origin forwards Daniel Abraham and Josh Perry are also sidelined with injury.
Abraham (ankle) and Perry (rib cartilage) are set to make their comebacks against Souths at Aussie Stadium on August 1.
Meanwhile, Newcastle has helped fill the void created by the departure of Ben Kennedy next season, signing Melbourne forward Kirk Reynoldson to a four-year deal.
The 25-year-old Reynoldson admitted the lure of playing in a rugby league-oriented town was a major factor in his decision to leave Melbourne.
"Coming from west Queensland (Wandoan), I've grown up with rugby league and that is something I have missed here in Melbourne," Reynoldson said.
"Playing at EnergyAustralia Stadium, even as the enemy, has always been an experience I've enjoyed, so to run out as part of the home team is something I am definitely looking forward to."
