Injuries to representative forwards Ben Kennedy and Brent Kite added further gloom to Manly's NRL finals campaign after their 22-14 loss to Newcastle on Sunday.

Leading 14-8 at halftime at EnergyAust Stadium, Manly missed an opportunity to move up to fifth as it suffered a fourth straight away loss.

Newcastle collected yet another top eight scalp after knocking off North Queensland, Parramatta and Melbourne during a six-week run which has gleaned five victories and a golden point loss to the Sharks.

Kennedy, who was returning to Newcastle for the first time following a five-season stint with the Knights, suffered a leg injury but at one stage threatened to have the last laugh.

He popped a perfect pass to flying fullback Brett Stewart, who dashed over 60 metres in the 35th minute to set up Manly's six-point halftime advantage.

However, Newcastle scored 14 unanswered points after the break.

Five-eighth Brad Tighe scored within three minutes of the resumption and Andrew Johns pushed the Knights ahead for good in the 66th minute when he stepped inside Sam Harris.

Winger Trent Salkeld secured the points for Newcastle in the 75th minute when he swooped on a wayward pass for Kennedy and toed the ball ahead for the match-clinching try in the 75th minute.

Manly coach Des Hasler said he didn't know the full extent of Kennedy's injury, but was not convinced with the player's post-match assertion that he was fine especially since he left the ground with his leg cased in a protective covering.

Kite, who went off early in the game with a knee injury, could be sidelined for a couple of weeks according to Hasler.

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