Knights star Lachlan Fitzgibbon to miss start of NRL season after shoulder surgery

Newcastle have suffered a major blow, with star back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon set to miss the start of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery yesterday.

Fitzgibbon damaged the shoulder in a training mishap several weeks ago and the Knights' medical staff was hoping it would come good with some rest and rehab.

But the 26-year-old was still having problems with the injury and it was decided that surgery was his only option.

The hard-running back-rower won't be able to resume full training for three to four weeks and could miss as much as the first month of the season.

Fitzgibbon is a key man in the Knights' attack and played 17 games last season, playing big minutes every week.

A local junior, he made his debut in 2015 and has barely missed a game since becoming a regular in the team two years later.