Knights skipper Trent Hodkinson has been dropped for the Cowboys clash and did not travel with the team to Townsville.
The halfback’s defence has been questionable in recent weeks including last week’s 24-6 loss to the Roosters.
And while he is battling a chronic knee injury, it is understood he had been omitted for reasons of form, not fitness.
He will not play reserve grade this week.
The former Blues representative is contracted to the Knights until the end of 2018.
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