The Newcastle Knights want troubled former star Jarrod Mullen back at the club according to their CEO Phil Gardner following reports the one-time State of Origin five-eigth recently overdosed at a party in the local region.

Mullen tested positive to a performance-enchancing drug in 2017 and can’t have any contact with the club until 2021 when he may take up a mentoring role with the Knights.

“I would love to see Jarrod back – we want him back involved with the club,” Gardner told the Newcastle Herald.

“From where the Knights sit at the moment though, Jarrod has to serve out his four year ban first. Clearly, we can’t have involvement with him under the rules until that ban is finished.

“But once that is done, we would love to see Jarrod rehabilitated and see him back involved with the club.

“He can share his story with players about the ramifications of being involved with the wrong people.”

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