Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco has been ruled out of Saturday's NRL clash with Newcastle as he recovers from a head knock he copped at the SCG on Anzac Day.
Coach Trent Robinson confirmed on Thursday the star fullback would be rested from the Knights clash as he completes return-to-play concussion protocols.
The 28-year-old was wiped out of Sunday's win over St George Illawarra after copping two head knocks in the first half, with Joey Manu moving into fullback as his replacement.
The Roosters will make the same adjustment to the side to play the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night.
"Teddy won't play. He's pretty good but just he won't play this weekend so he'll get rested and be fully recovered and get ready for next week," Robinson said.
"It's good to have a player like Joey.
"We've got B Moz who has played probably 30 or 40 games at fullback and is very experienced but Joey is our first choice.
"He's a very talented and hard working player.
"The ability to adapt and understand what role he has at fullback takes some work and he does it very well."
The backline switch opens the door for Joseph Suaalii to make his NRL debut, however Robinson confirmed he would play Matt Ikuvalu on the wing instead.
The teen sensation Suaalii was named on the extended bench to play the Knights but Robinson said on Thursday he's not quite ready to make the leap into first grade.
"He won't be in this week but he'll be with the squad and get that time with the squad and that experience again," Robinson said.
"I'll use him when he's ready.
"He's really learning the rigours of a season at the moment, he's doing really well while doing year 12 exams and putting all that together but as I said right from the start, we'll handle him in the right way and he'll play when we think he's ready ... and he's getting close."
