Going good: Kurt Gidley still is a chance to play Canberra. Photo: Anthony Johnson
Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett has not ruled out the prospect of skipper Kurt Gidley returning for the Knights' clash with Canberra on Sunday evening.
Gidley missed the impressive 34-6 win over North Queensland with a calf injury but young halfback Tyrone Roberts was a more than able deputy, leaving Bennett with a potential selection headache.
The seven-time premiership-winning coach refused to be drawn on whether Gidley, who sat out training on Thursday, would be restored to the starting line-up before Roberts, should he be passed fit enough.
''Kurt is going good, he may be right,'' Bennett said.
''But at this point in time he's not playing. We'll just have to wait and see. If he's ready, he'll play.''
Prop Willie Mason is also battling a calf complaint and is rated as doubtful by Bennett for the visit of the Raiders to Hunter Stadium. ''There's a chance, but if he's not ready then he won't play,'' he said.
Gidley's absence had no ill-effect on the Knights against the Cowboys; Roberts showed great quality at halfback as Johnathan Thurston and the rest of the team were put to the sword.
That performance was in complete contrast to the limp display Bennett's side produced in the 32-0 loss to Manly in round two.
Bennett admitted he was shocked with the result and said his team needed to find consistency if they were to have any chance of challenging for the premiership.
''Consistency, that is the key,'' Bennett said.
''There's no secret, it's as much about routine as anything else.
''I wasn't 'unconfident' last week, but I wasn't expecting what happened at Manly, either.
''But if you prepare well, you have a chance. I do know that this team has prepared well.''
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