Giant teenage English centre Dom Young will make his NRL debut against the Wests Tigers today at McDonald Jones Stadium following the loss of winger Starford To'a through injury.
Already without centre Bradman Best for the clash after he was ruled out with an elbow ligament injury on Thursday, To'a has succumbed to a shoulder problem that has plagued him for the past few weeks with coach Adam O'Brien opting to give him at least a week off.
It is understood the almost 2 metre tall, 106kg Young 19, will play in the centres for Best with Gehamat Shibasaki reverting to the wing as To'a's replacement.
Young played in the top grade for Huddersfield in the English Super League as a 17-year-old and is in his first season with the Knights.
The club had planned to take a softly, softy approach with the teenager this season to give him time to find his feet but he was the talk of the club after outstanding trial form against Cessnock and Melbourne Storm.
He has only played one full game since he arrived in Newcastle - a NSW Cup game a fortnight ago - to he faces a real baptism of fire, particularly in defence against the Tigers.
But O'Brien has plenty of faith in him to get the job done and had no hesitation in throwing him in.
