Newcastle's flagging fortunes improved when internationals Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus, Adam MacDougall and Ben Kennedy were named for Sunday's pivotal National Rugby League clash with Manly.

The classy quartet couldn't return at a more critical time for the free falling Knights.

Michael Hagan's side is languishing outside the top eight and in serious danger of missing the finals after dropping four of their past five games including an embarrassing 52-12 defeat at the hands of Wests Tigers on Sunday.

Johns and Buderus were given last weekend off to freshen up after the demanding representative season, while MacDougall (hamstring) and Kennedy (calf) have recovered from leg injuries.

Kennedy missed a month serving a suspension immediately prior to being sidelined through injury and was champing at the bit to help Newcastle emerge from its worrying pre-finals slump.

"There's nothing positive sitting on the sidelines watching the boys lose," the NSW State of Origin star said.

"Hopefully I can get back on the park and help turn things around."

Ninth-placed Newcastle, with 22 points, can knock Manly (18) out of contention for the playoffs with success at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

New Zealand Warriors coach Daniel Anderson recalled the talented Lance Hohaia to replace injured halfback Stacey Jones for Saturday's match against Melbourne at Ericsson Stadium.

Hohaia, the league's 2002 rookie of the year, was dropped earlier in the season to the Auckland competition to improve his attitude.

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