Newcastle captain Jayden Brailey believes his Knights are more resilient this year as compared to last season, as they continue to battle on without star Kalyn Ponga.
Brailey will return from his own concussion against Canberra on Sunday, after being one of several Knights to miss last week's loss to the Dolphins.
But there is still no timeline for the return of Ponga, who was not named for a second straight week after suffering his fourth concussion in 10 months in round two.
Questions continue over what position Ponga will eventually return in, after his off-season move from fullback to five-eighth.
Ponga also missed the back-end of last season after several concussions, the Knights going 1-5 in his absence.
There were some signs of attacking threat without him last week against the Dolphins with Lachlan Miller brilliant at the back and Tyson Gamble joining Jackson Hastings in the halves.
Brailey will strengthen that spine on Sunday, adamant they can perform while they wait on Ponga.
"It's a week to week thing. We're not putting any pressure on Kalyn," Brailey said.
"We want him to prioritise his health. And whatever it may be when he comes back, it is what it is.
"It's Tyson Gamble this week, Lachlan Miller and Hasto.
"We have done a lot of training in the pre-season and we have built a good combination there."
Newcastle have at least received some good news with Daniel Saifiti cleared of a shoulder injury and expected to face the Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Brailey and Jack Johns are also back, while Tyson Frizell and Kurt Mann are listed on an extended bench and are a chance to return from injury.
Ponga, Jacob Saifiti (suspended) and Adam Elliott (ankle) remain out.
Winger Dom Young has been dropped with his demotion coming weeks after signing a deal to join the Sydney Roosters next year.
The club battled through a similar injury crisis last year to finish 14th, as pressure grew on coach Adam O'Brien.
But Brailey pointed to the backs-to-the-wall round-two win over Wests Tigers and their ability to stay in the game against the Dolphins as proof this was a more resilient side.
"Without a doubt we are," Brailey said.
"We have shown our character in the first three games in periods.
"We are a different side this year. We have shown a lot of that resilience, particularly defensively."
