Knights utility star Connor Watson is poised to officially settle his immediate playing future after agreeing to terms on a new one year deal with the club.
Watson, who ruptured his Achilles tendon three weeks ago and is sidelined for the remainder of the season, shunned interest from at least two rival NRL clubs and is understood he has agreed to take a pay cut to remain at the Knights until the end of 2021.
He is hopeful of signing the contract extension within the next fortnight once some minor details are sorted out.
"There is nothing in writing but yeah, it's all sort of been agreed on and we're pretty close to getting it [officially] done," Watson told this week's edition of Toohey's News:The Podcast.
Watson confirmed it is only a one year deal but said his plan is to return from his latest injury setback stronger than ever next season and back himself to really perform and land a longer-term contract with Newcastle when the club's salary cap pressures ease.
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He admitted he was genuinely concerned about his future at the Knights and whether the club would still want him to stay after being ruled out for the season following the Bulldogs clash in Round 11.
"Immediately, my only thoughts were about what I'm I going to do because I had nothing in writing," he said.
But coach Adam O'Brien quickly dispelled those fears by publicly declaring he remained a priority signing despite the long-term injury.
After starting the season in dynamic form prior to the COVID shutdown, nothing has gone right for Watson since the resumption.
He played just eight minutes of his side's round three draw against Penrith before limping off with an ankle injury that needed surgery.
He missed six matches, returning in round 10 against South Sydney without incident before lasting just six minutes of the Bulldogs clash the following week.
All up, he will end the season having played just 149 minutes.
Watson is not expected to be back in full training before January next year but has already sought the help of a specialist in a bid to ascertain why he is constantly suffering ankle and feet issues and how he can fix the problem.
"To be honest, when I first did it [tore his Achilles], I was feeling a bit sorry for myself as you do with a long term injury," he said. "But just having a few conversations with some people, I guess I've just sort of flipped my mindset and realised this is a bit of opportunity for me.
"There's definitely things that I need to work on, but there's also things that I need to work on with my body. And I probably wouldn't have got the chance if I didn't get this injury.
"So, I'm going to be starting to work with this guy who is looking at the way I move and stuff like that. I think a lot of my problems with the injuries I'm getting stem from my hips and my body alignment being a bit out.
"He is going to help me fix all that and I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully, it's going to prolong my career a bit instead of sort of fighting through injuries for the rest of it."
Watson, who is currently getting around with the aid of a four-wheeled scooter that is taking the weight off his injured leg, will begin work with the body movement specialist as soon as he becomes more mobile.
"We've had a few discussions but we'll get into it a bit more as soon as I can start to move and run. If I can take any positives out of it, it's probably this and the opportunity to go and fix my body in the way I move."
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