Former international wingers Adam MacDougall and Nathan Blacklock make their long-awaited returns to the National Rugby League on Friday night when Newcastle hosts St George Illawarra at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Wednesday night's brutal State of Origin opener - described by Sydney Roosters coach Ricky Stuart as the most physical encounter he'd ever seen - has already robbed the round 14 clash of St George Illawarra's Test prop Jason Ryles.

The Knights have also been hit hard, although not by Origin just yet.

Fullback Robbie O'Davis (knee) and interchange back Craig Hall (knee) were both ruled out on Thursday, with Andrew Price coming into the squad and Mark Hughes likely to assume the No.1 jersey.

Timana Tahu is likely to shift into the centres, with Anthony Quinn taking his place on the wing.

The Knights could also lose NSW stars Danny Buderus (hand) and Ben Kennedy (hamstring), with both in doubt after starring for the Blues in the Origin opener.

The pair trained on Thursday night, but Buderus will have x-rays on Friday before a decision is made on whether he will play and Kennedy will be assessed in the morning.

"I think they're all in pretty good spirit," Newcastle coach Michael Hagan said of his six NSW representatives, led by Blues captain Andrew Johns.

"I guess you're a little bit more confident if (you win).

"He (Johns) played brilliantly against Queensland. He really put his stamp on the game."

Dragons coach Nathan Brown will also give the club's Origin representatives, Luke Bailey and Shaun Timmins, until just before kickoff to declare their ability to back up.

But nothing will stop Blacklock, the premiership's leading tryscorer from 1999-2001, making his comeback for the Dragons, nor MacDougall his return for the Knights.

Blacklock hasn't played first grade since walking out on the Dragons midway through last season and embarking on a rugby union career with the NSW Waratahs.

MacDougall has played just one game in 14 months as he struggled with a knee injury.

Ryles won't join them after he was ruled out today with a shoulder injury that also threatens his participation for NSW in Origin II against Queensland at Telstra Stadium on June 25.

Ryles had only recently overcome niggling foot and hamstring injuries and said he was frustrated by his latest setback, but hopeful the AC joint problem was only minor.

"Until (Dragons team doctor) Martin Raftery looks at it tomorrow, we won't know for sure how long I'll be out," Ryles said.

"But the post-match assessment was that I am a good chance to be fit for the next Origin game.

"It happened in my very first run. I was tackled and landed on the point of my shoulder. Before then I had not had any problems with my shoulder."

But coach Brown was hopeful Bailey, man of the match in NSW's 25-12 win over Queensland, and Timmins would be right to tackle the Knights.

"They will have a medical review late (Friday) afternoon to give them every opportunity to play," he said.

"Given that they backed up to play the Bulldogs 24 hours after the City-Country clash, we are expecting them to be able to play."

Brown will not name a replacement for Ryles until Friday night.

Ryles joins captain Trent Barrett (ankle), centre Mark Gasnier (knee) and winger Amos Roberts (shoulder) on St George Illawarra's injury bench.

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