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Kodi Nikorima's signing has been greeted enthusiastically by the Warriors but Blake Green is sparing a thought for the young halfback set to be demoted.

Blake Green is urging halves partner Chanel Harris-Tavita to take a deep breath and put aside any displeasure at his Warriors starting berth being wrested from him.

New signing Kodi Nikorima will watch Sunday's NRL match against Newcastle from the Mt Smart Stadium stands and is sure to be injected straight into the starting lineup next week, at Harris-Tavita's expense.

While Green rates Nikorima, he said a demotion for the Warriors' rookie incumbent would be unfortunate given he'd held his own when entrusted with chief playmaking duties in the last three games.

Without the injured Green, Harris-Tavita ran proceedings in a trio of narrow losses, two of which were to powerhouses South Sydney and Melbourne.

"It's been a tough job, I think he's been really good," Green said.

"Three games he's played on his own without an experienced half next to him.

"I'll do my best to make sure I can control the game. Hopefully he can just take a big breath and relax."

Green's return from groin injury and captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's probable recovery from a hamstring strain are crucial for the home side as both stars mark Newcastle's most potent players.

Fullback Kalyn Ponga and halfback Mitchell Pearce were back near their best in last week's 28-14 dissection of Parramatta, ending a five-match losing streak for the Knights and hinting at what their impressive roster can achieve when they click.

Green has been frustrated at the Warriors' own winless streak, particularly last week's Anzac Day loss to the Storm when a late penalty ruling, which NRL bosses later deemed erroneous, sunk their hopes in the 13-10 loss.

"It's only a matter of time if we keep producing efforts like that that things will turn for us," Green said.

"I think our guys' effort's been really good the last couple of weeks. We've had a couple of close losses but our physicality's been really good."

STATS THAT MATTER

* The Warriors have won 12 of their last 13 games at home to Newcastle.

* Newcastle's 11.6 average points conceded in the first half of matches is the second worst by any team. The Warriors' 13.4 leaked in the second spell is also the second worst.

* The Warriors have used 25 players this season, the most by any team.