Sevens months after a knee reconstruction seemingly ended his career at the Knights, veteran playmaker Blake Green is on the verge of timely comeback for the Red and Blues.
Just days after Newcastle's surprise defeat at the hands of the Wests Tigers, Knights coach Adam O'Brien has rolled the dice with the 34-year-old five-eighth and named him on the bench for Sunday's clash against St George Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium.
O'Brien tossed up giving Green another week before bringing him back into the top squad and admits he is still not certain to play against the Dragons at this stage.
"I'm pretty confident he'll be there but he's only had a couple of weeks of contact so we'll see how he handles the rest of the week and go from there," O'Brien told the Newcastle Herald.
Green picked up the serious knee injury in only his third game for the Knights last August after a mid-season transfer from the Warriors.
He had already signed a one-year-deal with the Bulldogs for this year before linking with Newcastle but managed to negotiate his way out of that deal to stay with the Knights.
His inclusion could not have come at a better time after the Knights' attack struggled against a fast-moving Tigers defence during the 24-20 defeat.
In a further boost, winger Starford To'a is also set to return after missing the Tigers game with a shoulder problem.
To'a had a cortisone injection last week in a bid to settle inflammation in his AC joint down and it has responded to treatment.
Key forwards Jacob Saifiti and Mitch Barnett have both been named but will need the rest of the week to prove their fitness.
Saifiti has an impact injury on his shin but scans cleared him of a break.
"We are not sure on Jacob at this stage," O'Brien admitted. "The problem is in an awkward spot and we just need for it to settle down and hopefully, that will be by the weekend."
Barnett had scans on his calf which cleared him of a tear and like Saifiti, his chances of playing against the Dragons will hinge on how quick the recovery process takes.
"He's had a scan and treatment and there is every chance his will settle down by the weekend and he'll be okay," O'Brien said. "But we probably won't make a final decision on him until the captain's run on Saturday."
O'Brien has shown faith in Gemahat Shibasaki by naming him in the centres with highly promising English recruit Dom Young named on the extended bench.
