Newcastle have the chance to answer one of the NRL's burning questions when they take on Canterbury on Saturday - just how will they react to a horror off-season.

Down two forwards with Danny Wicks and Chris Houston terminating their own contracts after being charged with drug offences, the Knights' premiership stocks have plunged before a ball has been kicked in 2010.

And with no one guaranteeing more players are not involved, just how the remaining Knights front up to 2009 premiership high-flyers Canterbury at ANZ Stadium is anyone's guess.

Coach Rick Stone concedes the distractions have been real but is hopeful his players' focus can turn to football.

"For the majority, I'd say they've been really good, somewhat distracted at times obviously after certain events," he said.

"This week we've had a good talk about our particular focus and concentrating on what we can control and that's something that we're fairly comfortable with.

"We understand what we've got to do and what processes to put in place for us to play on the weekend and I think all the boys understand where we're heading."

While Newcastle's forward depth will be tested in 2010, early season injuries to NSW representative backs Kurt Gidley and James McManus also won't help.

Talented hooker Isaac De Gois is also on the comeback trail from a knee injury and not yet ready for first grade.

Veteran forward Steve Simpson will captain the Knights in Gidley's absence.

Tellingly, Newcastle have won only four from 12 games without Gidley since 2007, while they also need to improve on a three-from-12 away record last year.

The Bulldogs have had a relatively smooth pre-season, but only 12 months ago they were on the rebound from a stint as the NRL's crisis club.

Five-eighth Ben Roberts was there through some of the Dogs' darkest days and predicts the Knights will be a danger as they air their frustration.

"I actually think it is (a danger game)," he told AAP.

"I suppose they'd probably look at it as more of a drive for them with all this stuff that's going on, they would rather put it behind them and what better way than to go out there and play good football.

"They've got something to prove, obviously, to themselves and to the fans and I'm sure they'd be expecting a tough game from us so they'd all be telling each other to make sure that they're on their game.

"I'm not expecting anything less than a hard game from them."

Both sides return to the scene of their qualifying final clash last September, when the Dogs eliminated the Knights with a 26-12 victory.

Bulldogs winger Bryson Goodwin, who bagged 20 tries in 2009, will be given until game day to prove he has overcome a toe injury, with Heka Nanai and Junior Tia Kilifi on standby.

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