Veteran Newcastle enforcer Jacob Lillyman has been ruled out of Sunday's clash against Melbourne at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The nib Newcastle Knights forward misses the Round 15 match due to an abdominal strain.
It's another blow for the home team who are already without a host of stars.
Jamie Buhrer is sidelined with a knee injury, while forwards Jacob Saifiti (shoulder) and Daniel Saifiti (foot) are also unavailable.
Lillyman, 34, drops off the bench for the Storm match, as does Nick Meaney.
A decision is yet to be made on Lillyman's replacement.
Coach Nathan Brown will finalise his 17-man team an hour before kick-off.
Brown Q&A Part I: June 30 transfers and recruiting
TEAM
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Ken Sio
3. Sione Mata'utia
4. Cory Denniss
5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
6. Connor Watson
7. Jack Cogger
8. Herman Ese'ese
9. Slade Griffin
10. Josh King
11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
12. Mitch Barnett
13. Aidan Guerra ©
14. Danny Levi
15. Chris Heighington
16. Luke Yates
19. Sam Stone
20. Brock Lamb
21. Brent Naden
Sunday June 17 – Round 15
Kick-off: 2pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
