JAMES McManus could become the second NRL player in 12 months to be forced into premature retirement due to concussion with the Newcastle winger still suffering symptoms from a head knock he suffered almost a month ago.

The former NSW Origin representative player will not play again this season as he recovers slowly from an innocuous head knock while playing for the Knights against South Sydney in round 20 at ANZ Stadium.

Retreating backwards in the Knights defensive line as the Rabbitohs attacked his left side just six minutes into the match, McManus slumped uncontrollably to his haunches close to the sideline.

He was taken from the field and transported straight to hospital.

It was the 29-year-old’s second bout of concussion this year, leading teammates to fear that he could do as former Wests Tigers forward Liam Fulton did in July last year and retire due to a number of head knocks.

Concerned Knights officials have placed McManus’ immediate playing career on hold as he undergoes a series of tests with leading neurologist, professor of Newcastle University Chris Levi.

Newcastle chief executive Matt Gidley conceded McManus’ career was “up in the air” but added the Knights were refusing to place any pressure on the experienced winger until a clear diagnosis could be determined.

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media_camera James McManus tNRL career is “up in the air” as he awaits result from a neurologist.

McManus remains contracted at the Knights until the end of next season with Gidley stating the club would welcome his return, should the medical advice give him the green light.

“He’s still got some symptoms from his most recent concussion, which was a significant one,’’ Gidley said.

“Jimmy has had a number in his career and he’s copped several concussions over the years, but I think with this one the symptoms have hung around a little bit longer than they generally do.

“He’s going through a process now of getting medical reports, talking to specialists. We’re fortunate here in Newcastle, we’ve got the leading guys in the world in the concussion space.

“Jimmy’s getting some tests done and some assessments done and he’ll work through that, but we don’t know where that will end at this stage.

“What we’ve said to Jimmy is, ‘go and see the specialists and let us know’. There is no pressure either way from our end, if he wants to play he’s under contract next year.

“We don’t want to put any pressure on him to make a call, it’s up to him, the doctors, and how he recovers and what the assessments come back with.’’

Gidley said the club had not consulted with the NRL about Gidley’s condition, in the belief that the NRL would be comfortable with club’s recognised team of professionals.