Fainu released from custody over stabbing charges

Manly hooker Manase Fainu has been granted bail and will be released from custody as he answers charges relating to the stabbing of a man at a church dance.

Fainu has spent the past two weeks in Parklea Correctional Centre after allegedly stabbing a 24-year-old man in the back in Wattle Grove last month.

The Sea Eagles No.9 has denied the three charges levelled by police: wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, affray, and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm in company.

Given the severity of charges against him, Fainu remains stood down from playing duties under the NRL's no-fault stand down rule until his case is finalised in court.

Fainu has been ordered to remain under house arrest unless accompanied by a relative, but has been permitted by the courts to attend Manly training sessions, medical and court appearances.

Under the NRL's no-fault stand down rule, Fainu is permitted to continue training with his teammates and continue his recovery from shoulder surgery at the club.

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler and football manager John Bonasera and teammates including Addin Fonua-Blake and Moses Suli were in attendance for Fainu's bail hearing in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Fainu's case will next be heard in Liverpool Local Court on December 16.

Manly are waiting for Fainu's legal matters to be resolved before deciding whether to pursue salary cap compensation.

NRL.com understands that out-of-favour Newcastle rake Danny Levi has been discussed by the Sea Eagles as a potential replacement should Fainu be unavailable in 2020.

Levi remains contracted to the Knights for next season but has been given permission to seek a contract elsewhere given the club's signing of Sharks hooker Jayden Brailey.