Newcastle’s State of Origin hero Dane Gagai says he’s standing by coach Nathan Brown as the Knights try to lift themselves from the NRL cellar.

The Knights play St George Illawarra at Hunter Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“We’ve got a long way to go yet but I enjoy my time with Nathan Brown, I can see what he is doing and I believe in it,” Gagai said

“I am sticking by him and doing what I can to help out there and get us in a position where we can start winning games.”

Meanwhile Josh Dugan could be a starter for the Saints.

“Duges is a very good healer, he does everything right on his rehab and he’s forward in that and he’s in a really good space at the moment,” Dragons coach Paul McGregor said.

“But he just hasn’t done contact consistently time after time after time.”