UNASSUMING Knights prop Dan Tolar is confident of playing again this season and is equally confident there will be a game for him to play in.

Tolar needs lower-back surgery to trim a bulging disc, and he will miss Newcastle's last-round match against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

But the robust red-head was sure he would be available the following weekend for an elimination final against the NRL minor premiers.

The Knights will secure eighth position by beating the Broncos but, if they lose and are not thrashed, will still reach the finals if the Eels beat the Warriors at Parramatta Stadium on Saturday night by a modest margin.

Tolar, who has played 20 of a possible 23 games this season and been one of Newcastle's most consistent contributors, missed their 17-16 victory over Melbourne at EnergyAustralia Stadium last Saturday night after aggravating his back at training the day before.

The 25-year-old Central Charlestown junior was not named in the team to play Brisbane and rated himself next to no chance of recovering in time to force a late change.

Knights coach Brian Smith named the same starting 13 that ran on against the Storm, though hooker Matt Hilder faces a spitting charge at the NRL judiciary tonight.

"I had an MRI yesterday which showed there's a bulging disc there, so at the moment it's something I'm trying to get settled down, then I'll probably have surgery at the end of the year," Tolar said last night.

"I should be able to play again this year but probably not this week. As soon as it settles down and there's no pain there, I'll be right to run again.

"We were just doing a bit of agility the day before the game and I felt a little twinge and thought nothing of it, but when I woke up on Saturday morning I could hardly walk.

"I did have a bulging disc earlier in the year in the same spot but not as bad, so that's why they're thinking an operation will prevent it happening again.

"I told Smithy yesterday I was no chance but today it's pulled up pretty good, and if it keeps improving the way it has from yesterday to today, I'd like to think I'm still a slight chance, but realistically, I'd have to say probably not.

"But if we're still in next week, I should be right for that."

Mark Taufua, who confirmed yesterday he had signed a new two-year deal with the Knights, was retained at lock.

Props Danny Wicks (virus) and Richie Fa'aoso (concussion), who missed the Melbourne game, were named on a five-man bench with Jesse Royal, Chris Bailey and Chris Houston.

Smith said he would check the fitness of several players at training today and tomorrow before finalising the squad to tackle the Broncos.

Lock Zeb Taia, who has missed the past four games with torn knee ligaments, was not named but could be a late inclusion if he passes a fitness test tomorrow.

Fullback Karmichael Hunt will play his 100th game for the Broncos, who could secure fourth spot and a home qualifying final if they win.