Newcastle must choose a replacement for suspended hooker Phoenix Crossland before Sunday's NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters.
Harrison Graham has performed well off the bench, while coach Justin Holbrook could instead start Thomas Cant or Diesel Hagan.
Holbrook can wait until 90 minutes before kick-off to name his final side.
The Roosters will be without Connor Watson after he failed to gain medical clearance to play within the NRL's mandatory 11-day stand-down for a category-one concussion.
Watson was dazed and left the field shortly after entering the Roosters' preliminary-final win over the Dolphins.
The club said he had been testing well before seeing an independent specialist on Thursday, but confirmed on Friday that he would miss the decider.
He will become the first player to miss a grand final because of concussion.
The popular utility has played his last game for the Roosters, with a move to St George Illawarra next season and the PNG Chiefs in 2028.
His absence is likely to bring hooker Benaiah Ioelu into the Roosters' 19-man squad as cover for Reece Robson.
"I don't think it takes too much to work out what plan B is, but we have got some really good hookers," Robinson said on Thursday.
"Benaiah Ioelu played some great footy for us this year. He brings a lot of energy to us as well so he will come into consideration then."