Knights stars Kalyn Ponga, Mitch Barnett and Hymel Hunt will all miss Saturday night's showdown against the Sydney Roosters with Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien opting to rest the trio against the defending premiers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Newcastle Herald has learned O'Brien will make at least four changes to the squad that accounted for Cronulla last weekend when it is officially named at 4 pm on Tuesday, welcoming back prop Daniel Saifiti, backrower Sione Mata'utia and winger Edrick Lee from lengthy stints out through injury.
- LISTEN: TOOHEYS NEWS PODCAST
Utility Tex Hoy will come into the side at fullback to substitute for Ponga, who was left battered and bruised after being heavily targeted by the Sharks.
The week off will give Barnett time to fully recover from the sternum injury he picked up during the loss to the Warriors a fortnight ago while Hunt gets a spell to freshen up, having not missed a game since the start of last season.
Young backrower Brodie Jones, who came off the bench against the Sharks, will make way for Mata'utia.
The Knights will take on the Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
O'Brien is understood to have resisted the temptation to rest two of his most senior players, skipper Mitchell Pearce and prop David Klemmer, instead opting to give them extra time off training in the build-up to the game.
The Knights ended a seven year drought by qualifying for the finals with three rounds remaining after their 38-10 win over the Sharks.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN THE NEWS:
