Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon has defended the safety of rugby league as he detailed the significant improvement he has made since sustaining a spinal injury in a lifting tackle earlier this season.

McKinnon, who will return to Hunter Stadium next Sunday for the first time since the injury in Melbourne on March 24, vowed to walk again at a news conference before the NRL's RiseForAlex fund-raising round of matches.

When McKinnon was first injured, doctors said he had movement only in his shoulder but he is now able extend his elbows and wrists, and wheeled himself into the news conference at ANZ Stadium on Monday morning.

During his first interview with the media, McKinnon said he remained determined to be able to walk again and was prepared to do whatever was necessary to achieve his goal.