Knights team for Roosters trial
match named

Knights coach Michael Hagan named his squad for Saturday night's game against the Sydney Roosters at Nelson Bay with Parramatta recruit Steve Witt wearing the No.7 jersey.

Only a handful of regular first graders will take on last year's grand finalists, among them five-eighth Kurt Gidley and props Josh Perry, Matt Parsons and Adam Woolnough.

Former test centre Russell Richardson, who joined the Knights from South Sydney, has also been selected.

Parsons will captain the side in Andrew Johns' absence.

Hagan also opted against selecting Timana Tahu, Matthew Gidley, Danny Buderus, Ben Kennedy and Steve Simpson while Robbie O'Davis (calf), Daniel Abraham (back) and Mark Hughes (shoulder) were unavailable.

Only Hughes is in danger of missing the NRL kick-off on March 12 when the Knights take on the premiership-winning Panthers.

Johns hasn't played since hurting his neck late last season and is expected to make his return on February 28 against North Queensland in Mackay. Knights :

David Seage Trent Salkeld Russell Richardson George Carmont Anthony Quinn Kurt Gidley Steven Witt Josh Perry Luke Quigley Matt Parsons (c) Andrew Price Reegan Tanner Tod Lowrie

Interchange: Adam Woolnough, Matthew Kennedy, Michael Ennis, Riley Brown