17 Apr 2014

McKinnon improving

6:41 pm on 17 April 2014

The Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon has got some movement back in his left arm, his right arm is improving further, and he's able to control an electronic wheelchair.

The club's hopeful that further regeneration may occur over a two-year timeframe, and while there is a long road ahead, these small improvements continue to lift McKinnon's spirits.

The 22-year-old's been transferred from the intensive care unit at Melbourne's Albert Hospital to a spinal rehabilitation ward in a Sydney hospital, as he begins rehab to try to walk again.

The stricken Knights' back-rower suffered a serious spinal injury during a clash with Melbourne in round three when he landed on his neck following a lifting tackle by Storm prop Jordan McLean.

McLean was suspended for seven matches following the incident at AAMI Park and the NRL this week announced a crackdown on players who used lifting tackles to put opponents in a dangerous position.