Newcastle fullback Lachlan Miller says he is ready and willing to switch to five-eighth if the Knights opt to put Kalyn Ponga back in the No.1 on his return from concussion.
Ponga is due to return from a five-week hiatus when Newcastle play North Queensland on April 22, having been cleared following neurological testing in Canada earlier this month.
The Knights are yet to confirm which role Ponga will play on return, with his latest concussion coming in his second game at five-eighth after switching from fullback at the start of the season.
Newcastle legend Matthew Johns has been among those pushing for Ponga to return to fullback, arguing he makes four-times as many tackles at five-eighth than at No.1.
There is a counter argument that the majority of Ponga's concussions - four in the space of 10 months - have come while playing at the back.
Miller's form at fullback complicates the situation further.
The 28-year-old has been the Knights' best player this year, after making the switch from rugby sevens at the start of 2022.
Miller played halves as a youngster and spent five games at five-eighth in reserve grade last year at Newtown, and said he would be fine returning to the frontline if required.
"When I was younger I played all halfback until I was 20," Miller told AAP.
"I have played it, it is obviously a very different level but I have played it and would be comfortable. It would just take a bit of time.
"I'm sure if it is fullback (Ponga) returns to, Adsy (coach Adam O'Brien) will have something up his sleeve. Whether that is off the bench or in the halves.
"We also have Tyson Gamble and Phoenix (Crossland) who are really good halves."
Any shift to the halves would also depend on whether the Knights want to keep Gamble at five-eighth alongside regular halfback Jackson Hastings, with the pair having combined well in Ponga's absence.
"You've got one of the best players in the comp on the sideline at the moment," Miller said.
"They will make a decision around that, and whatever that is, will be best for the team."
Miller said the absence of Ponga had accelerated his own growth in his first full season in the NRL, after being limited to seven games at Cronulla last year.
"I feel like when those boys have gone down, maybe I should step up a little bit and help Jacko (Hastings) out," Miller said.
"I have a lot to learn, I haven't played a lot of games. The game sense and the defensive structures as a fullback has been the main thing."
