NEWCASTLE will deploy their third halves pairing in four games after five-eighth Tyson Gamble was dumped in favour of halfback Jackson Hastings for Friday's clash with St George Illawarra.
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Knights coach Adam O'Brien has recalled Hastings to the top grade after the 28-year-old spent the past fortnight in NSW Cup.
Hastings was dropped to the reserve-grade competition after the NRL side's loss to North Queensland in round two.
He will return at halfback with Jack Cogger, who wore the No.7 in place of Hastings the past two games, shifting to five-eighth.
Gamble, after playing the first two games alongside Hastings and the most recent two with Cogger, has paid the price after Sunday's 20-12 loss to the Warriors.
Now placed 15th after three losses and a lone win this season, Newcastle head into Friday's 8pm match at McDonald Jones Stadium at risk of falling to dead last.
A loss to the resurgent Dragons could potentially leave them as the competition's cellar-dwellers should the Rabbitohs (16th) and Titans (17) record victories.
Clearly running out of patience, O'Brien will be hoping Hastings can deliver a much-needed spark for the Knights. The playmaker had a hand in five tries in the NSW Cup side's 50-24 win over North Sydney last month, but had little impact in the team's 26-12 loss to the Warriors at the weekend.
Elsewhere, O'Brien has elevated hooker Jayden Brailey to the starting side for the first time this season, after his two appearances off the bench in the past two games.
Centre Dane Gagai has been named to return after missing last week due to a medical issue. Prop Leo Thompson will start in his return from suspension.
Knights (vs Dragons)
1. Kalyn Ponga (C)
2. Tom Jenkins
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Enari Tuala
6. Jack Cogger
7. Jackson Hastings
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Adam Elliott
Interchange bench
14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Daniel Saifiti
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Mat Croker
Extended match squad
18. Dylan Lucas
19. Jed Cartwright
20. Brodie Jones
21. Tyson Gamble
22. Tom Cant
