Under-pressure Naden hoping to miss just two months

The Tigers centre was set to go for scans on Saturday, but the club is  hopeful there's no serious ligament damage and he can return within two months.

That would come as a boost to the Tigers' backline stocks with Adam Doueihi desperate for an injury-free year and Justin Olam dealing with constant knee issues.

"The quick diagnosis is that my knee has popped out. Hopefully no ligament (damage) so hopefully (I can be back in) six-to-eight weeks," Naden said afterwards.

"I'm probably in more pain now than I was on the field because I had so much adrenaline going through me. 

"But I knew it was bad because Jeral Skelton was walking over and went 'ahhhhh' and then walked away. When I looked up and saw it, I was like 'Jesus'."

Naden said he had rejected the stretcher after it was taken on field for him, given he knew his nan and pop would be watching the game on television.

The 29-year-old admitted he had briefly feared the worst with a posible ACL rupture, but the initial signs were good with the knee able to go straight back in place.

This year looms as crucial for Naden, who is off contract at the Tigers.

The joint-venture shopped the centre to English Super League clubs last year before Naden made clear he still wanted to prove himself in the NRL.

To do that and earn another contract, Naden must be on the field.

He was impressive in last week's Indigenous All-Stars game and provided some strike while scoring a try, before going down injured on Friday night.

"It's frustrating because I set myself up with a really good pre-season," Naden said.

"I handled last week and got through the game with no injuries and my body felt really good afterwards.

"At the moment I'm not really too worried about (my contract). I'm worried about getting my knee right and getting back on the paddock as soon as possible.

"Whatever happens, happens.

"I'm not ready to go overseas yet. It was head down, arse up in pre-season and I feel like I've done that."