Newcastle centre Jesse Ramien could be a late inclusion for Saturday's NRL clash with Canterbury after being cleared to come back from a shoulder issue.
After missing last week's victory over the Warriors, Ramien was on Tuesday named on an extended bench for their Magic Round match in Brisbane.
Knights coach Nathan Brown said he wanted the former Cronulla three-quarter to be confident in his body before declaring himself ready to go.
"He wasn't quite fit enough last week and it's only early in the year," Brown said.
"At the end of the day, players generally rule themselves unfit. Doctors guide them a little bit. If Jesse is to be fit, he's got to feel confident.
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"He came off with a shoulder problem and it's a pretty important part for rugby league, the defensive part of the game in particular."
Ramien's possible return would likely come at the expensive of Sione Mata'utia, who could then move back into the second-row.
The Knights, who are coming off back-to-back wins for the first time this year, take on a Bulldogs outfit that have won just two games and sit in last spot.
The last time Newcastle started favourites, they were blown apart by Gold Coast.
"We've certainly been big underdogs the last two weeks and our worst performance of the year we were hot favourites," Brown said.
"Hopefully we've learnt some tough lessons and also some good lessons in the past five-six weeks, that we know what works for us.
"Whether we're favourites or not favourites, that shouldn't change the way we approach the game or the way we play the game."
