The Newcastle Knights’ entire 2021 campaign comes down to this week’s showdown with the injury-ravaged Sydney Roosters according to club legend Matthew Johns.

A premiership-winner with Newcastle in 1997, Johns believes the Knights will make the finals if they can overcome the Chooks.

“Particularly when you get (Mitchell) Pearce back and Kalyn Ponga on the field… you’d expect them to win nearly all those games (on the run home).” Johns told SEN.

“This week is almost their biggest game for the season, they’re playing the Roosters, and they’ve been hammered with injuries… if you watched on the weekend, it is a game Newcastle are capable of winning.

“If Newcastle can pull off a win this weekend against the Roosters, I’ve got no doubt they’ll play finals football.”