Stars overcome injuries

Andrew Johns and Matthew Gidley have passed strenuous fitness tests and will play against the Cowboys on Saturday evening, with the Knights being close to full strength.

Johns has beaten a buttock complaint whilst Gidley's a groin problem has also healed. They were put through their paces yesterday and did enough to take their seats on the plane to north Queensland.

However, there are still a few for the Newcastle club who remain on the injured list, with big names in Danny Buderus, Josh Perry, Mark Hughes and Adam Woolnough to come back to the fold.

Around the other clubs, young Sharkie Keith Galloway has completed his first training session since being sent to Disney Land by John Hopoate a fortnight ago. He's not quite right to step back into first grade, but the signs are encouraging.

Meanwhile, Canberra dynamo Lincoln Withers is confident of playing against former club St George Illawarra on Saturday night at Canberra Stadium.

Withers sustained a broken nose courtesy of a misplaced forearm from Rabbitohs fullback Adam MacDougall last week, but is very keen to play against the last placed Dragons outfit, who have Trent Barrett returning from injury.

Raiders coach Matt Elliott described Withers as having a tough attitude and is a strong competitor.