Newcastle skipper Andrew Johns is back, with the champion No.7 warning his rivals that he feels fitter and stronger than at any other stage this season.

Johns was named at halfback for Newcastle's NRL clash with top-of-table Brisbane on Sunday, which will be his first game back since suffering a broken jaw against the New Zealand Warriors in round six.

Johns said the six-week lay-off had enabled him to do more rehabilitation on his knee, which required a total reconstruction last season, and had him nearing peak fitness.

"I've been doing that much work the past two months on the knee, it feels so much stronger than what it was before, so if anything I'll be more confident coming back," Johns said.

"It's just I suppose `get the jaw out of my head' then I'll do some contact work this week, hopefully I'll be fine.

"Physically I'm in so much better shape than I was in say February and March."

But Johns said the Knights would have their work cut out for them to get their first win of the season against the Broncos, and asked fans not to expect too much from him too soon.

"I don't want to make no bold promises ... I just want to have a real good solid game and have a win," Johns said.

"I don't want to get out there and blow them away on my own or anything like that.

"They don't get much bigger and meaner (than the Broncos). If anything I can take some solace out of (the fact that) in the past I've come back against them and had a good game, and hopefully it'll be the same Sunday."

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