The Knights only promised McKenzie Baker a training stint until Christmas.
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Less than a month out from the 2021 season kicking off, he's still in Newcastle.
Baker, who has a NSW Cup contract, played fullback in a trial against local premiers the Goannas at Cessnock Sportsground on the weekend and may travel as part of the Knights' extended squad to Albury this Saturday.
The club's head of recruitment Clint Zammit said Baker had seemingly done enough to stay on.
"We said to him you can train up until Christmas," Zammit told the Newcastle Herald.
"He's training well and obviously we've had injuries [in NRL group], so the boys have just kept him training.
"He's got a great attitude, which helps and is why he's probably still training."
Originally from Townsville and having arrived in Newcastle from the Sydney Roosters, Zammitt said Baker contacted the Knights.
"He was looking for a bit of an opportunity and he rung us up," Zammit said.
"I thought he could fill a hole, definitely in NSW Cup and do some training with the NRL. Now he's come and trained well and [Knights coach] Adam [O'Brien] has kept him training."
Twelve months ago Baker played NRL Nines with the Roosters in Perth, featuring a hat-trick of tries against the Warriors, and a trial for the same club against the Knights on the Central Coast.
He starred for the Roosters under 20s in 2019, represented Queensland under 18s in 2018 and was part of the Queensland Murri under-16 side, who played an All Stars curtain-raiser at Suncorp Stadium in 2016.
Zammit feels Baker's versatility across the backline will enable him to "do a job" this year for Newcastle's NSW Cup squad, coached by Andrew Ryan.
"He did some good things," Zammit said about Baker's performance against Cessnock on Saturday.
Baker will likely head south with the Knights this weekend if a lower-grade trial goes ahead in addition to the main Storm hit out.
In the top squad, Phoenix Crossland could get a chance in the halves while the likes of Daniel Saifiti, Bradman Best and Sauaso Sue are all expected to play.
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