Newcastle Knights halfback Trent Hodkinson has been named to make his return from injury this week in his side's Round 10 match against Wests Tigers.
Forced to sit out the Knights' 62-0 loss to the Cronulla Sharks with a knee injury, the State of Origin playmaker's return is a big boost for Coach Nathan Brown this week.
Hodkinson himself has an impressive record against Wests Tigers, playing them nine times for seven wins and two losses, and kicking 22 goals — more than against any other team.
Nathan Ross has also been named to make his return on the wing from a hamstring injury, although he will need to pass a fitness test later in the week to prove his fitness.
Big men Sam Mataora and Pauli Pauli also return to the squad, while speedster Jake Mamo could also be a late inclusion on Saturday as he nears a return from an ankle injury.
For Wests Tigers, hooker Robbie Farah has not been named after a head knock last week, with utlity Dene Halatau to start the match in the No.9 jersey and premiership-winning hooker Matt Ballin named to make his Club debut off the interchange bench in No.15.
Curtis Sironen has been replaced in the starting side by Josh Aloiai, with young gun JJ Felise coming back on the bench to cover for Sauaso Sue, who suffered a rib injury in the warmup of last week's game and has again not been named this week. Elikah Taylor — who made 50 tackles in his Club debut last week — has been named to start at lock,
After impressing last week in the starting side, Ava Seumanufagai remains in the run-on side with Tim Grant dropping back to a five-man bench that includes Michael Chee Kam.
Jason Taylor's men will be looking to end a run of defeats against Newcastle when they meet this Saturday, having lost all of the last three meetings between the two sides.
Wests Tigers have won two of their last three matches at Campbelltown, however.
Saturday arvo footy returns to Campbelltown this week when we take on the Knights!
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
1. Dane Gagai
2. Nathan Ross
3. Sione Mata’utia
4. Pat Mata’utia
5. Akuila Uate
6. Brock Lamb
7. Trent Hodkinson (capt.)
8. Sam Mataora
9. Danny Levi
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tariq Sims (capt.)
12. Jacob Saifiti
13. Jeremy Smith (capt.)
Interchange:
14. Tyler Randell
15. Korbin Sims
16. Jack Stockwell
17. Mickey Paea
18. Pauli Pauli
19. Jack Cogger
Coach: Nathan Brown
WESTS TIGERS
1. Justin Hunt
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Tim Simona
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Jordan Rankin
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods
9. Dene Halatau
10. Ava Seumanufagai
11. Josh Aloiai
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Elijah Taylor
Interchange:
14. Tim Grant
15. Matt Ballin
16. JJ Felise
17. Kyle Lovett
18. Michael Chee Kam
Coach: Jason Taylor
