KNIGHTS enforcer David Klemmer will be on thin ice for the rest of the NRL season after accepting a one-match ban that rubs him out of Thursday's crucial clash with Gold Coast at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Klemmer pleaded guilty to a grade-one contrary-conduct charge after an innocuous striking incident involving Luke Thompson in Saturday's win against Canterbury.
The early plea allowed the former Test prop to avoid a possible two-match ban but left him with 97 carry-over points. Every 100 points equates to a one-game suspension, and players redeem five points for every game they complete without incident.
If Klemmer was to commit any further offences between now and the end of the season, he would be almost certain to spend more time on the sidelines.
Minus Klemmer, Daniel Saifiti (knee) and Lachlan Fitzgibbon (shoulder), Newcastle are intent on sealing a berth in the play-offs on Thursday night.
They are currently outright seventh, and a win or a draw from their two remaining regular-season games, against the Titans and Brisbane, will ensure they qualify for the finals for the second consecutive season.
The ninth-placed Titans, however, will be desperate and have won their past two games against the Knights 36-6 and 42-16.
They are set to be bolstered by the return from a knee injury of powerful Moeaki Fotuaika, who will join fellow Queensland Origin representatives Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Jarrod Wallace in a formidable engine-room rotation.
Saifiti, who hopes to be fit for the opening week of the play-offs, had no doubt his twin brother Jacob, veteran Suaso Sue and rookie Jirah Momoisea can fill the breach in the meantime.
"If I'm being honest, I don't think the forwards are the problem in this team," Saifiti said. "I think we've got a really hard-working pack, and anyone who has stepped up in place of anyone this year has done a really good job.
"I'm confident whoever comes in for me, Klem and Fitzy is going to do a great job. So I think it's just about the other players doing their job and playing a bit of footy."
Saifiti acknowledged the Titans have been "tough opposition" for Newcastle in their past two encounters. "We know it's a big game and what's at stake, so I'm confident the boys will rock up," he said.
