Newcastle Knights enforcer Jacob Saifiti is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines after suffering an injury in the side’s recent clash with the Dolphins.

The front-rower left the field in the first half of the showdown, eventually won by the hosts 13-12, at McDonald Jones Stadium at the weekend.

And, he failed to reappear.

Scans confirmed Saifiti sustained a moderate grade hamstring tear, ruling him out of action between six and eight weeks.

That setback will be offset somewhat by the return of fellow prop Trey Mooney.

The 24-year-old forward missed the Dolphins’ encounter with a calf complaint.

Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook is also expecting to welcome State of Origin stars Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best into the line-up as the Knights tackle the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium on Sunday 12 July.

Their additions see Fletcher Sharpe shift to the halves, with Sandon Smith on the bench.

Fletcher Hunt shuffles back to the six-man interchange.

Meanwhile, the club’s been forced to make several changes to the NRLW squad, too.

No. 1 Lilly-Ann White suffered a syndesmosis injury during Newcastle’s impressive win over the Cronulla Sharks in round one.

She’s likely to miss up to two months.

But, it’s worst news for Evie Jones (hamstring), Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa (ACL) and Damita Betham (shoulder).

All three have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Ahead of the Knights’ fixture with the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 11 July, mentor Ben Jeffries will recall Botille Vette-Welsh into five-eighth, with playmaker Georgia Roche receiving a one-week suspension.

Lucy Spain is named to make her NRLW debut at fullback.

The local junior becomes Knight #69 in place of White.

NRLW

Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters

Saturday 11 July: 5.15pm (Allianz Stadium)

• Newcastle Knights: Lucy Spain, Shanice Parker, Sidney Taylor, Tenika Willison, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Botille Vette-Welsh, Kirra Dibb, Tayla Predebon, Olivia Higgins, Tiana Davison, Fane Finau, Yasmin Meakes, Kayla Romaniuk; interchange: Jules Kirkpatrick, Sienna Yeo, Amelia Pasikala, Simone Karpani; reserves: Nakia Davis-Welsh, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Grace Giampino, Joeli Morris, Stella Lewis
• Sydney Roosters: Corban Baxter, Brydie Parker, Jessica Sergis, Isabelle Kelly, Jayme Fressard, Jocelyn Kelleher, Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott, Keeley Nizza, Otesa Pule, Sariah Paki, Jasmin Strange, Olivia Kernick; interchange: Shawden Burton, Macie Carlile, Rima Butler, Keighley Simpson; reserves: Mia Wood, Talea Tonga, Taneisha Gray, Nikiah Campbell, Tatum Bird

NRL

Newcastle Knights v South Sydney Rabbitohs

Sunday 12 July: 2pm (Accor Stadium)

• Newcastle Knights: Kalyn Ponga, Dominic Young, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Brown, Cody Hopwood, Phoenix Crossland, Trey Mooney, Dylan Lucas, Jermaine McEwen, Mat Croker; interchange: Sandon Smith, Tyson Frizell, Lachlan Crouch, Thomas Cant, Harrison Graham, Fletcher Hunt; reserves: Francis Manuleleua, Tyson Gamble, Kyle McCarthy
• South Sydney Rabbitohs: Matthew Dufty, Dayne Jennings, Tallis Duncan, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Jayden Sullivan, Ashton Ward, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Euan Aitken, Cameron Murray; interchange: Lachlan Hubner, Jamie Humphreys, John Radel, Liam Le Blanc, Jye Gray, Latrell Siegwalt; reserves: Edward Kosi, Thomas Fletcher, Peter Mamouzelos

For more sports stories:

• Bulldogs bite their way into third to stun Lakes
• Knights to support Jai Arrow at world’s biggest birthday party
• GALLERY… Harlem Globetrotters’ magic puts a spell on Newcastle fans

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