nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien has named his 21-man squad to take on the Canberra Raiders on Saturday at McDonalds Park in Wagga Wagga.
Hymel Hunt returns from a hamstring injury on the wing, while Phoenix Crossland will make his first ever appearance in the No.7 jersey.
Pasami Saulo's good performance off the bench last week has earned him an opportunity, with Josh King and Starford To'a dropping back to the reserves.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Tex Hoy have again been named on the extended bench, leaving the door ajar for their returns to the NRL from injury.
Fitzgibbon: 'There's no excuses'
TEAM LIST:
1. Kalyn Ponga - Allara Learning
2. Brayden Musgrove - A Plus Contracting
3. Enari Tuala - M&J Chickens
4. Bradman Best - East Coast Building and Pest
5. Hymel Hunt - East Coast Building and Pest
6. Kurt Mann - Fast Fuel Meals
7. Phoenix Crossland - Kelly Suzuki Cardiff
8. David Klemmer - Mine Super
9. Jayden Brailey (c) - Musclepharm
10. Daniel Saifiti (c) - Greg Tapp Printing
11. Tyson Frizell - Wellman Strata
12. Mitch Barnett - Hunter Imaging
13. Connor Watson - Brydens Lawyers
Interchange:
14. Sauaso Sue - Taylors Outdoor Power Equipment
15. Jacob Saifiti - NBN News
16. Brodie Jones - Triple M 102.9
17. Pasami Saulo - Reflections Holiday Parks
Extended Bench:
18. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
19. Starford To'a
20. Josh King
21. Tex Hoy
