Experienced halfback Shaun Johnson will make his 80th NRL appearance when he turns out for the Warriors against Newcastle on Sunday after missing the past three matches with a groin injury.
Two other backline changes were forced upon head coach Andrew McFadden after Dane Nielsen (concussion) and Tuimoala Lolohea (hamstring) were both ruled out this week.
They left the field in last Sunday's 16-12 win over Cronulla, a result which has pushed the Warriors up to sixth on the ladder with four rounds left in the regular season.
With first-choice centre Konrad Hurrell still unavailable with a hamstring strain, McFadden has brought valuable utility Ben Henry into the starting line-up while rookie David Fusitu'a returns on the right wing for his 12th appearance - he has been out with a groin injury since the 22-28 loss to Brisbane on July 19.
There are also four changes to the starting forward pack.
In the most notable, Thomas Leuluai has ben named to start at hooker for the first time in what will be his ninth game this season, and his fifth since returning from a three-month lay-off with a groin problem. Nathan Friend goes to the bench.
Returning in the second row is Jayson Bukuya, who was 18th man against the Sharks last week.
He will partner Ben Matulino.
Captain Simon Mannering switches to loose forward. Friend is joined on an extended interchange by Feleti Mateo, Sam Rapira, Sione Lousi, Sebastine Ikahihifo and Dominique Peyroux.
''Shaun was close to being right last week. We could have played him but didn't want to risk it,'' McFadden.
''It's great to have him back. He's obviously important to our team.
"With Konrad and Dane both out, Ben [Henry] is a natural choice in the centres and David has another chance after missing a few games.
''We've made some other changes as well in a bid to lift our performance.
''It wasn't at the level we expect of ourselves against Cronulla.
"That effort was really disappointing but at least we came away from it with the two points.''
Warriors v Knights
Newcastle, 4pm, Sunday
Warriors: Sam Tomkins, David Fusitu'a, Ngani Laumape, Ben Henry, Manu Vatuvei, Chad Townsend, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Thomas Leuluai, Suaia Matagi, Ben Matulino, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering (c). Interchange: Feleti Mateo, Sam Rapira, Sione Lousi, Nathan Friend, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Dominique Peyroux.
Knights: Kurt Gidley, Chanel Mata'utia, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Adam Clydsdale, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Travis Waddell, Korbin Sims, Adam Cuthbertson, David Fa'alogo, Chris Houston.
