INSPIRATIONAL hooker Danny Buderus will make a surprise return from off-season back surgery against North Queensland tonight with the Newcastle Knights desperate to rebound quickly from last weekend's heavy loss to Manly.
Buderus appears set to come off the bench with skipper Kurt Gidley to start at hooker in a reshuffled forward pack against the Cowboys at Hunter Stadium.
Versatile Tyrone Roberts, who has been on the bench for the club's opening two premiership games, will get his chance at halfback in Wayne Bennett's new-look lineup alongside Jarrod Mullen.
In further changes to the squad announced early last week, centre Timana Tahu will be given a another week to recover from a foot injury with backrower Alex McKinnon coming off the bench to start in the centres.
KNIGHTS v COWBOYS MATCH CENTRE
Korbin Sims will make his NRL debut as the new man off the bench.
"Wayne's (coach Bennett) reacted to the loss to Manly by shuffling things around,"a Knights spokesman said yesterday.
"Matt Hilder played NSW Cup on Saturday because Bedsy is ready to go and Kurt will move from halfback to hooker until he comes on.
Danny Buderus training with the Knights last week. Picture: Liam Driver
"There was some hope Willie (Mason) might play but he won't be risked and Wayne's given Timana another week to get over his foot injury.
"It's too early in the season to be risking players."
Bennett's decision to rush Buderus into the 17 though is a firm indication he is searching for more on-field leasdership.
Buderus wasn't expected to return for another week and will sit on the bench with only a couple of contact sessions under his belt after undergoing off-season surgery to relieve back stiffness.
Knights backrower Chris Houston admitted the Monday night clash was a bonus for the club given the injuries and a bout of the flu that swept through the club last week.
"There was a fair few with symptoms but I think by Monday, we should be pretty right," Houston said.
"A few extra days to get it right should help us."
Houston said the loss to Manly had been an early wake-up call for the side.
"For sure. We started poorly and we can't afford to do that against the Cowboys.
"They have the Test props and (Johnathan) Thurston there so they will be tough.
"They have quality players right across the park. They have strike players in key positions."
Houston admitted the Knights needed to bounce back to reassure themselves after the Manly defeat.
"It's important for us to get back on track and get the confidence back in the group,"he said.
"Wayne gave us a good rev. He was a bit embarrassed by the Manly game, as we were, so he's got into us a bit this week.
"It might happen again, us losing but he doesn't want it to happen like that. He said if we learn from it, we will be a better side."
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