Prop Sam Moa has been ruled out of the NRL for a month due to a wrist injury, but will be fit for Sydney Roosters' finals campaign.
Moa dislocated his wrist in the first half of the Roosters' win over Canterbury on Friday and was rushed to hospital for surgery.
The Kiwi international will be sidelined for the Roosters' next four matches, but will return for the final round clash against arch-rivals South Sydney ahead of the finals series.
Five-eighth James Maloney says the Roosters have the depth to cover for the loss of Moa.
"That's a positive that Sam will be back for the semis," Maloney said on Tuesday.
"It is disappointing to lose a player like that but we have a lot of young forwards who can step in and fill that role. He will be back for September and that is the main thing."
Isaac Liu will take Moa's spot on the bench for the Tricolours' round 22 match against Newcastle at Hunter Stadium on Sunday. Liu was rested for the clash with the Bulldogs.
"I think Isaac will come in," Maloney said.
"Kane (Evans) was rested the week before. We are just trying to keep everyone fresh. We have a few options there, so there is no excuse, someone will fill that role and fill it well."
Roosters captain Jake Friend welcomed Evans' inclusion for the match against the last-placed Knights, after the interchange forward wasn't cited by the match review committee for his spectacular shoulder charge on Sam Kasiano.
"Sammy (Moa) has been playing really well, as has our whole bench he has been adding a lot of spark, it will be tough to lose him but it is good to have Kane available," Friend said.
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