The Newcastle Knights have named three NRL stars to return in their trial this weekend, but Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen are both missing through injury.

Mullen looked to pull a hamstring during the side's third Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines match, against the Tigers on Sunday, while Gidley is currently unavailable with a foot injury.

However Darius Boyd, James McManus and Kade Snowden are set to play their first game of the pre-season in the match against Canberra at Tamworth’s Scully Park on Saturday night.

In addition to Mullen and Gidley, Matt Minto (hamstring), Chanel Mata’utia (ankle), Toka Likiliki (hamstring) and Joseph Tapine (hernia) are all unavailable.

The full 22-man side is: 

1. Darius Boyd
2. James McManus
3. Dane Gagai
4. Joey Leilua
5. Akuila Uate
6. Michael Dobson
7. Tyrone Roberts
8. Kade Snowden
9. Travis Waddell
10. Willie Mason
11. Robbie Rochow
12. Beau Scott
13. Jeremy Smith

Interchange

14. Adam Clydesdale
15. Korbin Sims
16. Zane Tetevano
17. Alex McKinnon
18. Chris Houston
19. Adam Cuthbertson
20. Pat Mata’utia
21. Josh Mantellato
22. Jake Mamo

You can read the rest of the trial team lists here.