Newcastle's Alex McKinnon placed in an induced coma after neck surgery

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Sorry, this video has expired Video: The NRL defers a hearing into an injury into Knights forward Alex McKinnon (7pm TV News NSW)

Newcastle Knights back rower Alex McKinnon has been placed in an induced coma after undergoing neck surgery to repair vertebrae fractured in a tackle on Monday night.

McKinnon, 22, had emergency surgery early on Tuesday morning in Melbourne to stabilise his neck following a lifting tackle by three players in Monday night's NRL match against the Storm.

The surgery consisted of a disc removal at C4 and C5 vertebrae, and anterior fusion where a bone graft or metal is used to hold the vertebrae together.

"He's been in an induced coma just to help with the recovery from the surgery and to make sure there is no movement there," Knights chief executive Matt Gidley told News Corp Australia.

"The scans showed the spinal cord was not cut but they are still determining what damage might have been done there. It's just a real anxious time at the moment."

Knights coach Wayne Bennett says the club will give McKinnon all the help he needs to recover.

"It's sad and extremely disappointing for him. There is not much we can do about it," he said.

"He is getting the best care now and we are giving him all the support we can possibly give him. After that we just have to hope for the best.

"It's tough on all of us. This kind of thing doesn't happen."

Bennett coming to terms with McKinnon injury

Bennett, who took McKinnon with him to Newcastle from St George Illawarra when he moved to the Knights in 2012, admits he is struggling to get his head around what had happened to a player who had been tipped to represent New South Wales in the future.

"It really does bugger your mind up," he said.

"He is an outstanding young man."

The incident shocked the NRL community, with players from various clubs taking to social media on Tuesday to express their best wishes towards the New South Wales Country Origin representative.

Storm prop Jordan McLean's lifting tackle that led to McKinnon's injury was referred straight to a judiciary hearing which has been deferred.

The match review panel on Tuesday announced McLean had been charged with a dangerous throw for his part in the tackle alongside team-mates Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and it would go to a hearing because of the serious injury that arose.

AAP

Topics: nrl, rugby-league, sport, melbourne-3000, newcastle-2300

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