Andrew Johns is expected to plead guilty to a head slam today, with the Knights unlikely to risk losing their captain and key playmaker for their clash with the premiers in three weeks time.

Johns was charged with grade-two "contrary conduct - head slam" by National Rugby League judiciary commissioner Jim Hall, meaning he could face a two-week ban with an early guilty plea, and three weeks if he contested the charge and lost.

A three-week suspension would rule Johns out of the Knights May 18 game against the Sydney Roosters - with the City-Country game two days earlier unable to be included in the ban.

However, the Knights could attempt to have the charge downgraded to a grade-one offence, with officials to discuss options with Johns in the morning.

"I guess it's pretty fair to say we expected a charge to come against him," coach Michael Hagan said.

"In terms of the severity with what we do ... we'll talk to him and make our decision tomorrow."

The Knights have plenty on their plate over the next couple of days, with Josh Perry also charged by Hall with contrary conduct - following an eye gouging allegation made by Wests centre Terry Hill on Saturday night.

Perry, one of eight players charged on a busy day for Hall, had his matter referred straight to the judiciary.

The Knights would also study video footage of the incident which left fullback Robbie O'Davis in hospital nursing a badly broken nose and cracked palate, with Hall deciding not to charge Wests winger Robbie Beckett.

Hall decided not to take any action against Beckett after deeming O'Davis' injuries had occurred as the result of an accidental head butt.

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