Former Test forward Steve Simpson will finally make his return from a knee injury as "bashed-up" Newcastle face a rebuilt Wests Tigers side at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.
Simpson is set to play his first match since round one and his return could not come at a better time as the Knights are without NSW duo Danny Buderus and prop Ben Cross while gamebreaker Kurt Gidley is out with a fractured cheekbone.
Simpson, a former Test and NSW forward, says he is "100 per cent" ready to return and was buoyed by Newcastle's recent performances which include a win over Gold Coast and last Monday's gallant loss to Melbourne.
"I just had a little injection yesterday and could not run today but I am feeling good about it and looking forward to the game," Simpson said today.
"Last week it sort of felt okay but I pulled up a bit sore. With the boys travelling along alright I did not get any pressure to play.
"I just needed the extra week, I'm reaping the rewards now and it's feeling really good.
"I would like to play as many minutes as I can, I will probably be a little bit, not off the pace, but underdone I suppose going in."
Knights coach Brian Smith said Simpson's return and the strong performances of Mitchell Sargent and Michael Young in NSW Cup had given him a welcome selection headache this week as his men attempt to recover from the bruising loss to the Storm.
Jesse Royal failed to complete training today but should be fit to play on Sunday while Richard Fa'aoso, Scott Dureau and Adam MacDougall are all under selection consideration.
One of Smith's biggest concerns however is hooker, with Buderus out, Matt Hilder suspended and the club having released Terence Seu Seu earlier in the year.
"It's a bit of Murphy's law. We lose our captain and hooker and lose another hooker through suspension and we have already let go of Terence so we are missing three at the moment," he said.
"We are in undermanned status at the moment with the boys missing and the guys bashed up.
"(Sunday) will be one of those days where it takes everything to get the job done."
