The enforcer was rested last week but coach Ricky Stuart has called on his biggest trump card in a bid to halt a four-match losing skid against Newcastle in Wagga.

The front rower missed last week's loss to South Sydney after deciding with Stuart that he needed a 'mental break', but he's been named to start against the Knights with both clubs desperate to turn their form around in a hurry.

The Raiders have lost five of their last six games and have conceded at least 30 points in their last three.

In another boost Canberra, halfback George Williams has recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered warming up against the Rabbitohs.

Homesick Williams' late withdrawal last Thursday forced Stuart into a late positional switch with second rower Elliott Whitehead coming in as a makeshift five-eighth with Jack Wighton moved to halfback.

They return to their regular roles for Canberra's second NRL game in the past three years in Wagga.

Wighton is looking forward to have Williams and Papalii back.

"Big Joshy has been around training and is raring to go and just the same as George has a key role in the team," Wighton said.

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Sebastian Kris is also set to line up in the centres after being cleared of serious ankle damage.

Kris suffered a suspected high ankle sprain in the loss to Souths, but the Raiders said he had proven his fitness at training early this week and would make the trip to Wagga in place of co-captain Jarrod Croker, who is still up to three weeks away with the shoulder injury he sustained against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Co-captain Josh Hodgson remains unavailable after missing two matches with a calf injury, meaning Tom Starling retains his place at hooker.

Ryan James has dropped onto the extended bench in place of Papalii, while Sia Soliola is out of the 21-man squad altogether.

Soliola was a late inclusion against the Rabbitohs after Williams pulled out, and also played NSW Cup on Saturday, but he wasn't named in the NSW Cup side to take on the Knights earlier in the day.

The game is a sell out with the last 400 tickets released on Monday quickly snapped up.