Newcastle's depth is in for an early-season test with Leo Thompson expected to miss time with a hamstring injury.

Thompson was substituted from the field with a hamstring issue and is expected to miss at least the round-three clash with the Titans.

Early reports held that Canterbury's star recruit for 2026 would miss a month of football but the Knights will formulate his recovery timeline after receiving the results of scans.

Newcastle have the bye in round four, with Thompson's new club the Bulldogs awaiting the weekend after that.

A corked thigh sidelined Jacob Saifiti during the win over the Dolphins but the Knights prop is expected to be available for the trip to the Gold Coast next week.

Newly re-signed local product Brodie Jones is likely to come into the 17 for next week's game after being listed as replacement player for the Dolphins game.

Uncapped prop Tyrone Thompson is an option to replace his twin brother Leo after the former Super Rugby Pacific forward joined the Knights on a development deal this year.

Scott Bailey and Jasper Bruce - AAP