Best will be given at least a further week to ensure he is 100 percent recovered from ankle surgery but Kalyn Ponga, Mitch Barnett and Hymel Hunt will all come straight back into the starting lineup for the Dragons.

Interchange utility Phoenix Crossland, who was also rested for the Roosters game as a pre-caution after suffering a concussion against the Sharks the previous week, is also expected to be available for selection.

It will leave coach Adam O'Brien with some calls to make on the selection front.

Centre Gemahat Shibasaki, who had some defensive issues against the Roosters on Saturday night, is likely to make way for the return of Hunt, who could potentially play in the centres for the first time this season.

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Barnett, who has been battling a sternum problem, will return at lock provided the problem has settled down, forcing Jacob Saifiti back to the bench.

Backrower Sione Mata'utia is also likely to find himself back in the starting side after a successful return from injury off the bench against the Roosters.

O'Brien will likely have to decide between Crossland and Tex Hoy for a bench spot. Crossland offers the versatility of being able to deputise for Kurt Mann at hooker as well as providing cover for the halves. But Hoy's attacking X-factor is something that can't be ignored completely.

The Roosters' loss leaves the Knights in seventh spot, a point behind sixth-placed South Sydney with two rounds remaining. The Rabbitohs take on the bottom-placed Bulldogs on Thursday night before finishing with the Roosters in the final round.

The Knights must beat the Dragons and final round opponents Gold Coast and hope Souths drop a game if they are to secure home ground advantage in the first week of the play-offs.

Just what impact the belting from the Roosters has on the Knights mentally remains to be seen. There was an inevitability about the result very early in the contest with the Knights' defensive frailties exposed by the speed and precise execution of the Roosters attack. But if history is any indicator, O'Brien's side should quickly bounce back given their roller-coaster form this season.

It wasn't all bad news for the Knights. Winger Edrick Lee, back after being sidelined for nine games with a broken arm, was outstanding on the left wing while prop Daniel Saifiti also stood up to the Roosters pack after an extended time out.