Adam Doueihi's recovery from injury took longer than Benji Marshall expected, as statistics show just how big an impact the halfback has on Wests Tigers.
The equally important Alex Twal will need another week to shake off his knee issue after initially being named to return against Newcastle on Sunday.
"We'd be putting (Twal) out there just hoping he gets through, where next week he'll be able to perform," said Tigers coach Marshall.
Doueihi had been in career-best form before hurting his shoulder during the then-third-placed Tigers' loss to Cronulla in round nine.
The Tigers went on to lose that game as well as four of the following six, dropping to 10th on the ladder with a 7-7 record to begin round 17.
The joint venture had been conceding only 18.1 points on average across the eight rounds before Doueihi's injury - the second-best figures in the NRL, behind only ladder-leading Penrith.
Without Doueihi, the Tigers have twice leaked 50 points and suffered the second-worst loss in club history: a 68-0 belting from the Panthers.
In the past eight weeks, the Tigers have been conceding an average of 41.4 points and missing 48 missed tackles per game - both league-worst figures.
"Adam brings class, experience and confidence to the team," Marshall said ahead of Doueihi's return on Sunday.
"He's probably come back a bit later than we expected, he was a little bit slower with his rehab process.
"We're just looking forward to seeing him go out and do his job and bring what he brings to our team."
Marshall expected the resurgent Knights to lift for Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, the NRL's annual fundraiser with Newcastle premiership winner-turned-charity boss Mark Hughes.
With wet conditions forecast, Tigers majority owner the Holman Barnes Group has spent $8700 buying 300 beanies as gifts for travelling fans.
The Tigers defeated an understrength Knights side in round three, but last year's wooden spooners are likely to prove a sterner test this time.
"Justin (Holbrook, coach) has done a great job in turning them around this year," Marshall said.
"Some outstanding players, obviously very dangerous with the ball, and at home, for this cause, they'll lift."
