Newcastle’s star recruit Trent Hodkinson says it has been tough watching his new team-mates slogging it out in pre-season training and not being out there with them.

The former New South Wales playmaker has been restricted due to a wrist injury but hopes to part of the Knights’ Auckland Nines campaign and begin his partnership with Knights veteran Jarrod Mullen.

“It has been frustrating having gone to a new club. You’re keen to be out there straight away in these instances and dig in deep with your new teammates but I’m gradually getting there now,” Hodkinson told NRL.com.

“[Defensively] I’ve been there and watching it at training behind the line and in video sessions, I just haven’t been running with them.

“It’s the defence I’ve been used to being involved in anyways so that aspect is going well so far and the boys are doing well and picking up on things which Browny’s (Coach Nathan Brown) brought on board.”

Hodkinson said missing out on the Nines for the first two years of the tournament had been just as frustrating.

“Any opportunity to build combinations is a bonus so if we can do that over in Auckland at the Nines it’ll be great for us moving forward.

“I’ve sat at home both years and the atmosphere looks unbelievable so hopefully one day I can [play at the Nines], and hopefully it’s 2016.”