Fearful of being plagued by his rib and sternum injury for the rest of the season, Newcastle veteran Steve Simpson is hesitant about returning in Sunday's NRL clash against the Gold Coast.

Simpson has been named in the second row after missing last week and round six with the problem, but a fitness test on Friday will determine whether he's fit enough to play this weekend.

The former NSW and Australian representative thought he had overcome the joint pain when he played against Cronulla in round seven, only to do further damage to the top of his sternum and miss the team's last-start win over Brisbane.

While hopeful the tightness will settle down before Sunday, Simpson is anxious about making the same mistake and coming back too early.

"It's one of those injuries where I probably could play the game but if it goes wrong I could be back at square one and behind the eight ball again," Simpson said.

"I had a week off against the Cowboys and obviously came back and played against Cronulla, and I was back to where I was if not worse.

"It's definitely feeling a lot better but there's still a little bit of soreness there and I certainly just don't want to go back to square one.

"I've still got another few days up my sleeve before we actually play so hopefully it'll settle down in time and I'll be 100 per cent."

Knights coach Rick Stone said it was important Simpson's injury was well managed before it developed into a long-term problem.

"It may be an ongoing concern, we don't want it to be," Stone said on the Knights' website.

"We've yet to decide whether Simpson will play this week, even though he has been named.

"He's got to get through some training, probably Friday will be his major test I would suggest.

"If he comes out without any problems he'll play, but if he has any concern whatsoever, Cameron Ciraldo will obviously be back into the side."

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