The Newcastle Knights have made further changes to their side for Sunday's clash with the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium.
Late reshuffle in the backline
In a late switch, Fletcher Sharpe has been named to start in the centres after Bradman Best was ruled out on Saturday with a calf injury. Fletcher Hunt had been promoted to Newcastle's starting line-up in place of Best when the team was updated 24 hours before kick-off, but now drops back to the bench.
Sandon Smith has been promoted from the bench to start at five-eighth in place of Sharpe. It will be Smith's first start since a 44-12 loss to Penrith in round eight last month.
Sharpe's new role
Sharpe has never started at centre in first grade, having played either wing, fullback or five-eighth in his 34 NRL games. Whether he lines up on the left edge or veteran centre Dane Gagai switches from the right remains to be seen. James Schiller, who was Newcastle's reserve, misses the cut for the 19-man team.
Kick-off in the round-11 game at Suncorp Stadium is at 2pm.
Best sidelined with calf injury
The Newcastle Knights have withdrawn one of their attacking stars from Sunday's clash with the Gold Coast. Centre Bradman Best has been ruled out due to a calf injury. The Knights announced on Saturday that Best would likely miss three weeks, ruling him out of potential State of Origin selection for NSW as well.
Newcastle have a bye next week, so Best could miss games against Parramatta (home) and Melbourne (away).
"Bradman Best has sustained a calf injury at training and has been ruled out of this Sunday's Magic Round fixture," the Knights said in a statement. "Club medical staff anticipate Best will miss approximately three matches, with his return to play to be determined by his response to rehabilitation."
Best only returned a fortnight ago from a groin injury which forced him to miss multiple fixtures, but he had found decent form in Newcastle's past two games.
Other squad changes
Versatile back Fletcher Hunt was initially promoted to Newcastle's starting side to replace Best, but after the later reshuffle, Hunt moves to the bench. Forward Francis Manuleleua, who was a reserve, comes onto the bench in place of Hunt. Outside-back James Schiller remains as the reserve. Centre Kyle McCarthy has dropped out of the match squad, reduced to 20 players on Saturday, 24 hours before kick-off.
The Knights have opted to carry both playmaker Sandon Smith and back-up hooker Harrison Graham on their bench.
