Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns will make his third comeback from injury this year when he lines up against the Panthers at Penrith Stadium on Saturday.

Johns has not played since his heroic State of Origin II performance on June 15 when he injured his neck in NSW's 32-22 victory to send the series to a decider on July 6 in Brisbane.

The former Test captain was named to return after he missed the Knights' 13th consecutive loss last Sunday, at Brookvale Oval against Manly.

Saturday's game will be Johns' 10th game in just 18 months and it could not come at a better time for the winless Knights.

"Andrew has improved quite a bit the last few days and we expect him to be fine to play," said Knights coach Michael Hagan.

"He trained pretty well yesterday and will run again today and tomorrow so I am sure he will be fine to play."

Johns' NSW Origin match was just the second match since he broke his jaw in the Knights' round six loss to New Zealand Warriors.

In round one this year he played his first NRL game in almost a year after a knee reconstruction in 2004.

Meanwhile North Queensland welcome back several State of Origin stars, except injured prop Carl Webb (groin), for their clash on Saturday at Canberra.

Captain Travis Norton returns from a torn bicep he suffered in round two that required major microscopic surgery.

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