Despite being linked to a move to Manly, veteran forward Anthony Tupou is set to sign a one-year deal with the struggling Newcastle Knights.

The former Australian and New South Wales backrower appeared at Knights training on Wednesday morning and will add much-needed depth to a forward pack that has lost Korbin Sims to Brisbane and Pauli Pauli in the off-season.

Pauli Pauli was involved in a seven car accident on the M1 and has been ruled out for three months.

Tupou has returned from the Super League where he played one season for Wakefield.

The 33-year-old made his name in the NFL as a silky forward at the Sydney Roosters before switching to Cronulla.