Newcastle recruit Adam Elliott has been cleared to play in the opening round after overcoming a hip injury suffered in last year's NRL finals.
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Elliott has spent the entire pre-season battling an osteitis pubis injury suffered in the first week of finals at Canberra last year, ruling him out of any trials.
The 28-year-old also suffered another setback late in the pre-season, when sidelined by ankle injury after a training mishap.
But he is now back to full training, and is expected to be named at lock for the Knights in their season opener against the Warriors on Friday night in Wellington.
"I would've liked to have sorted it earlier in the pre-season, but I will be right to go," Elliott said.
"I might have preferred one trial, but I am confident I have played enough now that I know how to find myself in a game.
"I am confident I will be able to go out there and get the job done."
Elliott's restricted workload has meant he has only trained in the middle during the pre-season, reducing the chances of any early-season shift to an edge.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Tyson Frizell will therefore likely start on the edges, with Elliott wearing the No.13.
"I haven't been out there enough to choose whether we go on the edge or the middle," Elliott said.
"I have just been trying to get my reps in the middle. I will be confident if I need to go fill a hole for the team on the edge I will be able to do that."
Australian Associated Press
