A knee infection has not slowed recovering halfback Andrew Johns.

Johns' manager John Fordham expected his star charge to hit weight training with NRL club Newcastle on Wednesday despite complications following minor surgery on his right knee.

Johns suffered knee cartilage damage early in the Kangaroos' Tri Nations campaign and underwent an arthroscopy for "standard cleanout" surgery recently.

However, Johns returned to hospital last Friday after bleeding and swelling in the joint.

He left hospital on Sunday after having the knee drained.

"He hopes to resume weights training on Wednesday and go into running sessions when the Knights come back to training after Christmas," Fordham said.

"Normally when you have a clean out it is four to six weeks before you can run on it again.

"This hasn't disrupted his recovery. He's enjoyed a break and can't wait to start (playing) again."

Fordham said there was no reason why Johns would not contest the Knights' opening game of the 2006 NRL season against this year's minor premier Parramatta.

Meanwhile, Cronulla and New Zealand utility Nigel Vagana has had a pin inserted in his broken leg and will be out for "eight to 10 weeks".

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP