League: Sacked Rooster Kenny-Dowall named to face old team-mates

Shaun Kenny-Dowall of the Roosters during the NRL match against the Newcastle Knights. Photo/Getty Images

Newcastle recruit Shaun Kenny-Dowall admits he has to repay the lifeline the Knights have thrown him, when he makes his club debut against former club Sydney Roosters on Friday.

A month after his contract was torn up by the Roosters, following an illicit drugs charge, the controversial New Zealand centre has been named by coach Nathan Brown in the Knights line-up.

The former Kiwis international said he owes much to Brown, Knights chief executive Matt Gidley, and the Newcastle community.

"Browny really did stick by me through a tough time, and Gids and the club," he told media. "I want to work hard and repay the faith.

"I want to earn the respect of the coach, players and the Newcastle community as a whole. I learnt a lot of lessons, and I just want to be the best person I can be for the Knights and myself."

The 29-year-old conceded it was a challenge going from a team contending for the premiership to a club rebuilding with plenty of youngsters, but was confident they would put up a fight.

The Knights are on track to finish with their third straight wooden spoon.

"They showed last week that they can compete with quality opposition and the Roosters are a great team, so it's going to be a great challenge," Kenny-Dowall said.

"If we can play to our potential, we can be competitive - we have shown that, and we've just got to get the little areas right and go toe to toe with them."