Newcastle Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce could be out for the rest of the season after suffering a suspected torn pectoral in the win over the Wests Tigers.

The injury could impact not just the Knights, with a rejuvenated Pearce appearing in a lot of predicted NSW Blues teams for 2018.

Pearce will now sweat on scans but Knights coach Nathan Brown said he was bracing for a long-stint without his halfback.

“It’s not great,” Brown said. "We’ll find out more tomorrow but certainly, it’s a problem that is going to be some sort of long-term issue."

"Whether it’s 12 weeks or the season, what it is, we won’t know before tomorrow.

"It’s obviously not a great thing anytime anyone loses their halfback and one of our best players.

"It’s not great but I’d like to think with some of the experience our younger halves have got over the previous few years, our squad is stronger and will be able to try to overcome these things.

"It’s always a challenge when you lose good players."

The Knights are hopeful that Connor Watson will be fit for their next match against Manly.

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