Gagai was supposed to have attended Monday's press conference to announce the Knights' new partnership with the Awabakal organisation, but was excused because he was unwell.

Newcastle officials insisted the 31-year-old Test and Queensland Origin speedster had not contracted COVID and were confident he would be declared fit.

"Dane would love to have been here, but under these current circumstances, as you know, we're taking very much a risk-free approach to what we're doing, because we need to beat the Roosters this weekend," Knights CEO Phil Gardner said.

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The last thing O'Brien needs at this late point in proceedings would be to lose any more outside backs.

Young tyro Bradman Best, whose formative years in the NRL have been punctuated by injuries, limped off in the recent trial game against Melbourne with a knee problem. Best later revealed it was "only a cork", and the Knights expect him to take on the Roosters.

Experienced Hymel Hunt will miss the opening weeks of the season after suffering a knee injury in Newcastle's opening trial match, against Canterbury.

Enari Tuala is another option for Newcastle in the centres, but he appears more likely to be named on the wing.

Back-rower Brodie Jones also filled in several times as a stopgap centre last season, but the 23-year-old received no game time in Newcastle's trials because of a quadriceps injury.

O'Brien will name his squad on Tuesday.

Newcastle have played only twice previously at the SCG, suffering 48-10 and 42-12 hammerings from the Roosters in 2019 and 2020 - the seasons they won back-to-back premierships.

Bolstered by the return of a host of key players from long-term injuries, the Roosters were pre-season title favourites but have drifted to the third line of betting, behind Penrith and Melbourne.