Newcastle face a daunting task for the remainder of the campaign after their talisman Kalyn Ponga went down injured just before the State of Origin decider.
The Knights are without their captain, Fletcher Sharpe and Dylan Lucas for the rest of the season and they are now in the midst of a seven-game losing streak as the wooden spoon looms large.
Adam O'Brien will be desperate to snap the losing streak when his side takes on Cronulla in the Shire.
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Newcastle Knights NRL game this week
The Knights will take on the Sharks at Sharks Stadium on Sunday, August 31 at 2:00pm (AEST).
Knights confirmed team list for Round 26
1. Dane Gagai
2. Dom Young
3. James Schiller
4. Bradman Best
5. Fletcher Hunt
6. Jake Arthur
7. Jack Cogger
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Leo Thompson
11. Jermaine McEwen
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Tyson Frizell
14. Jayden Brailey
15. Mat Croker
16. Thomas Cant
17. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
18. Greg Marzhew
19. Jack Hetherington
20. Matthew Arthur
21. Connor Votano
22. Lachlan Crouch
Knights latest team news:
Newcastle are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak and are battling to avoid the wooden spoon along with the Gold Coast.
Connor Votano was dropped from the side late in the piece after initially being named to start at fullback against Brisbane.
Dane Gagai was switched to the back, while Fletcher Hunt was brought into the backline, and Greg Marzhew was a late withdrawal as James Schiller replaced him.
This is the configuration that Adam O'Brien has named from the start this week, with Marzhew only listed as 18th man.
Jack Cogger struggled with a calf injury during the heavy loss to the Broncos but has been named to start.
Adam Elliott is nearing a return after missing the majority of the campaign due to a biceps injury, while Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe will not return this season.