Having started training in August and having missed out on the T20 Regional Bash crown at the SCG last week, the Newcastle squad can now defend their NSW Country Championships title when they meet Riverina in Goulburn on Sunday.

Reigning player of the year Jacob Montgomery is the latest change to the 13-man team with leg-spinner Aaron Bills unavailable.

"We thought about bringing in another spinner but we already have Nick [Foster] and Nathan [Hudson] there," Newcastle coach Shane Burley said.

"Aaron is a quality spinner so no doubt we'll miss him, but Monty can do a job as a third spinner if need be and he helps make out batting really strong."

Aidan Cahill and Jeff Goninan were added last week in place of Josh Geary and Aaron Wivell, who both played the state carnival in November.

Riverina have current Bush Blues trio Ben Mitchell, Ryan Brown and Luke Docherty.

Newcastle held their last training session at Pasterfield Sports Complex on Wednesday.

First-grade matches start an hour earlier at 10am to allow the representative team to travel on Saturday night.

NEWCASTLE: Nick Foster (c), Jeff Goninan, Daniel Arms, Jed Dickson, James King, Nathan Hudson, Adrian Chad, Ryan Van Kemenade, Ben Balcomb, Aidan Cahill, Jacob Montgomery, Brad Aldous, Dan Bailey.

IN THE NEWS:

For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email.