FOR WED AM RELEASE
The topic of dumped skipper Trent Hodkinson has been quickly shut down by Newcastle coach Nathan Brown, with no comeback date in sight for the ex-NSW halfback.
But Brown believed the battling Knights were making progress, refusing to blame their last round NRL loss to North Queensland on Hodkinson's surprise axing.
The former Manly and Canterbury playmaker will play reserve grade this weekend after Brown, for the second straight week, opted for rookie Jaelen Feeney at halfback for Saturday's NRL clash on the Gold Coast.
Brown said Hodkinson was "a little down in confidence" and claimed there was no concern that the playmaker - under contract until next year - wouldn't play again for Newcastle.
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But asked if Hodkinson had been given an NRL return date, Brown said: "No, he hasn't - can we move onto the next topic please".
Newcastle appeared to miss Hodkinson's experience when they faded in the second half of their 24-12 last round loss to the Cowboys after leading 12-10 at the main break.
But Brown said: "I don't think it would have been any different regardless of the personnel.
"I thought our time in possession has been something that has been an issue for us.
"That's not a Trent Hodkinson or a halves issue.
"There's all sorts of reasons why we haven't had enough ball."
Brown still believed the Knights were improving despite slumping to their sixth straight loss.
"We do well for periods but we don't do them well enough for long enough," he said.
"Last year we didn't do them at all, though."
