Injured Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon has experienced movement in his left arm and improvement in his right arm and has been transferred from intensive care to a spinal rehabilitation ward at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital.
The Knights issued a statement on Thursday saying McKinnon's condition had improved and that he could now control an electronic wheelchair but still faced a ''long road ahead''.
''Alex McKinnon has been transferred from intensive care to a spinal rehabilitation ward in a Sydney hospital as he continues his recovery,'' the Knights statement read.
''Movement in Alex's right arm is improving and he has started to get movement in his left arm. Alex is able to control an electronic wheelchair. As previously advised, further regeneration may occur over a two-year time frame.
''While there is a long road ahead for Alex, these small improvements continue to lift his spirits, as does the overwhelming amount of support he is receiving. Alex and his family wish to thank the medical team at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital, for the acute care and treatment following his injury. They also wish to thank the hospital staff currently managing his progress.''
McKinnon suffered a ''devastating spinal injury'' in the final seconds of the first half of Newcastle's 28-20 loss to Melbourne at AAMI Park on March 24.
The 22-year-old Country Origin forward was placed in an induced coma after undergoing surgery to fuse two fractured vertebrae and to have a disc removed at C4-C5 level.
NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said on Wednesday that lifting tackles had not been banned but the league's match review committee had been instructed to sanction players who lift players beyond the horizontal where there is a threat of injury to the head and neck.
McKinnon proposed on May 6 to his girlfriend, Teigan Power, and vowed to walk her down the aisle. The following day he was transferred via air ambulance from The Alfred Hospital to Royal North Shore.
Several teammates, including Willie Mason, visited him on Wednesday and players from Sydney-based NRL clubs have been visiting him regularly.
