Manly Warringah Sea Eagles forward Kelepi Tanginoa could soon make a surprise return from a knee injury.

Sea Eagles Head Physiotherapist Andre Rickenbach said Tanginoa sustained a multiple ligament left knee injury in the win over Canberra in round four at Lottoland in March.

"An MRI showed a high grade MCL and a partially, but probably disrupted, ACL,'' Rickenbach said.

"Due to the nature of the ACL injury, he was given minimal chance of it healing and was put in a brace for six weeks for his MCL to repair.

"In order to not put any undue pressure or expectation upon the player, the Club announced it as a season ending injury, again due to the fact we thought it had a minimal chance of healing.

"We were expecting Kelepi to have an ACL reconstruction once he came out of the brace.

"However upon a functional re-assessment of his ACL, it was found to be equal to that of his right knee. A follow up MRI revealed an intact ACL.

"Kelepi will now undergo an appropriate rehabilitation program and we hope to see him return in five to six weeks."

Sea Eagles Casualty Ward (as of Rd 12)

Jonathan Wright (broken thumb) – Rd 13

Taniela Paseka (ankle) – Rd 14

Dylan Walker (facial fracture) – Rd 18

Kelepi Tanginoa (knee) – Rd 18

Lachlan Croker (knee) – season

Curtis Sironen (knee) – season