Knights team-mates Kalyn Ponga and Jack Johns are yet to be contacted by the NRL as part of the Integrity Unit's investigation into last weekend's alleged brawl at a Central Coast restaurant that resulted in Raiders hooker Tom Starling being arrested and charged with assaulting police.
Starling and three other men will face Gosford Local Court on January 21 to answer multiple charges following an incident at the Shady Palms bar and restaurant at Kincumber last Saturday night.
They were at the venue with family and friends, celebrating the 21st birthday of Knights star Connor Watson's younger brother Fletcher.
Connor Watson was also there with a group of people that included his family and Knights team-mates Ponga and Johns.
The Newcastle Herald understands Watson was not in the room when the alleged incident involving bar security and police took place but the Integrity Unit is aware Ponga and Johns witnessed what happened.
There is no suggestion any of the Knights players were involved and they are not under investigation.
Knights officials are not commenting but while it's understood they have not been contacted by the NRL in relation to their players being asked to assist with the investigation, there is an expectation that will happen in due course.
Starling is understood to have gone to the aid of his brother, who was allegedly caught up in a dispute with security that resulted in the police becoming involved.
The Raiders hooker and former Knight, whose was left bloodied and bruised after the altercation, is facing a total of seven charges including five of assaulting police. He has told Canberra Raiders officials he did not throw a punch and wasn't aggressive to police.
Earlier this week, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart came out strongly to publicly support his embattled hooker, questioning accusations Starling "reached for an officer's gun" during the altercation.
"Reaching for an officer's gun - no one in their right mind would do that," Stuart said on Monday.
"Highly unlikely Tom would. I certainly hope that isn't the case."
Meanwhile, senior Knights stars including Mitchell Pearce and David Klemmer will be back on deck today for their first pre-season training hit-out after enjoying extended time off.
The majority of the squad is already into their third week of training with coach Adam O'Brien pleased with the progress has players have made.
"The boys have been training really well - I feel like it has been a pretty productive time for us and we've got a far bit done," he said.
The Knights will train right up until three or four days before Christmas before enjoying a further couple of weeks off.
The club's four Origin squad members - Daniel Saifiti, Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt and new signing Tyson Frizell - will join the rest of the Knights squad when training resumes in early January.
For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email
IN THE NEWS:
