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Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson wants more out of star half Luke Keary this week as they build towards the NRL finals.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is confident Luke Keary can go to another level in his 150th NRL game as he recovers from broken ribs.

The star playmaker played well below his best in the Roosters' 18-6 win over Canberra last weekend in his first game in three weeks.

But with three games left before the finals, three-time premiership coach Robinson wants more - not just out of Keary, but "a lot of individuals".

"Luke did well last week but I'd say he was only at about 60 or 70 per cent of his capacity," Robinson said before Saturday's clash with Newcastle.

"I'm confident in him stepping up another gear.

"He did a really good strong team performance and his individual qualities weren't there as much as other weeks, but he knew what role he wanted to play for the team first.

"It was a strong team performance but a lot of individuals have got more in them."

Superstar Sonny Bill Williams garnered plenty of attention in his return to the NRL and has again been named on the bench.

The 35-year-old played just 14 minutes for the Roosters in he middle against the Raiders and is expected to play a similar role against the Knights as he builds his match fitness over the coming weeks.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves won't play on Saturday night and is believed to have been rested, but tough selection decisions await.

Retiring club legend Mitch Aubusson will come into the 17, but could risk being overlooked come finals if Robinson has a fully fit squad to choose from.

"That's our role (as a coach, to make hard decisions)," he said.

"Our role is not about me or any individual, it's about performance for the Roosters... It's about what's best for the Roosters and the team and to perform for this club and our members."

Since 2012 the Roosters have their second-best winning record against Newcastle, winning 11 of 13 games.

However, they are yet to face the Knights under the reign of former Roosters assistant Adam O'Brien, who helped orchestrate last year's premiership.

"Their style of play has shifted from last year which is natural for a coach to go and put in their style on a team, and you can see the changes from 2019 to 2020," Robinson said of the Knights.

"We look forward to adapting to that and playing our style against that."

The Knights will be without fullback Kalyn Ponga, who has been rested with a broken nose after copping two huge hits in last week's win over Cronulla.

STATS THAT MATTER

* The Sydney Roosters have lost just once this season to a team currently outside the top 5 (9-8 v Manly in round two).

* Newcastle are the only team in the past three seasons to score more than 30 points against the Roosters, winning 38-12 at home mid-way through last season.

* Since the resumption of the competition no team has more points (29.7), tries (5.1), linebreaks (6.1) or tackle busts (30.4) than the Roosters - despite having a below mid-table completion rate (77 per cent - 11th).