With Nathan Ross pushing to get back to first grade following injury, the pressure is mounting for young centre Cory Denniss to keep his spot in the starting 13.
The 21-year-old has so far notched up four NRL appearances this season.
Denniss admits the heat is on to retain the no. 4 jersey, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
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"That's what all the good teams do and are about; whenever there is a quality player from ISP or coming back from injury, it puts pressure on everyone in the top side," Denniss commented.
"Rossy had a great game on the weekend, he went really well, so it's only going to improve the team with quality players coming in.
"It makes everyone in the side fight harder for their spot."
Denniss played a prominent role in ISP at the start of the year, but he's not worried about going back.
It would only make him work harder to return to NRL.
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"It happens, that's footy. It happens to everyone and whatever comes my way, I've got to continue to work hard and better myself," he said.
"I've been learning every game, there is always stuff to work on and it all starts out on the training paddock, so whatever I can do to prepare myself to get ready for the game, that's what I'll do."
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With a bye this week, the young Knights centre will have a nervous wait to see if he again gets the nod for their clash against the Parramatta Eels next week.
"It's going to be a tough game but every game, week in week out, I don't think there's one team in the comp that doesn't turn up and play," Denniss admitted.
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"Fingers crossed see what happens."
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