Kalyn Ponga has been cleared to make his return from concussion, with Newcastle targeting their round-eight clash against North Queensland for his comeback.
Ponga returned from Canada late last week after advanced neurological assessment, following his fourth concussion in the space of 10 months in round two against the Wests Tigers.
Newcastle's return-to-play plan means the superstar playmaker will miss five matches from the head knock. He also sat out the final six games of last year.
Restricted to less than 80 minutes of football so far this season, Ponga will be put through two weeks of training before his comeback against the Cowboys.
"We are comfortable with the objective evidence from our independent testing, indicating normalisation of his cognitive function," Knights football boss Peter Parr said.
"Kalyn has recovered well from his recent concussion. However, he has had limited specific training due to the amount of travel he has had to undertake in recent weeks.
"We will now focus on building his physical and tactical performance, with an aim to return in round eight against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville."
Newcastle will have a decision to make on where to play their million-dollar marquee man on his return, amid questions on whether he should defend in the front line.
Shifted from fullback at the start of this year, Ponga has been asked to make 12 tackles a game when wearing the No.6, compared with three a match in the No.1.
If he is returned to fullback, the Knights would also need to find a way to keep Lachlan Miller in the side after his exciting start to the season at the back.
Newcastle will have to use their third five-eighth of the first six rounds against the Warriors on Sunday, with Tyson Gamble out with concussion protocols.
Phoenix Crossland will take on the role for the fourth time in about 18 months, after spending a week doing video with Andrew Johns and Blake Green.
"I don't need to do anything that I have never done before. I just have to make my tackles, kick well and provide that energy," Crossland said.
"I played (halves) growing up.
"I have learned how to tackle a bit better playing in the middle at No.9.
"Being at No.9 you are always on the ball, so you see the game a lot more and where the ball needs to go."
