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In the market to snare a big name, Newcastle are also not afraid to drop one either after confirmation captain Trent Hodkinson will not play in Saturday's NRL clash with North Queensland.

In a bold call, Knights coach Nathan Brown cut the ex-NSW halfback when he reduced his squad to 19 for the Cowboys clash in Townsville.

The club confirmed the shock axing after Hodkinson did not fly out with the team on Thursday.

It is not a good look for Hodkinson - one of the Knights' highest-paid players - as Newcastle ramp up their quest to snare marquee signings.

A cashed-up Newcastle - reportedly more than $1 million under the salary cap - have made no secret of their desire to target some of the NRL's biggest names after missing out on Matt Scott and Jack Bird.

Hodkinson is contracted at Newcastle until the end of 2018 and has been battling an ongoing knee injury but it is believed the marquee No.7 has been dropped due to poor form.

The playmaker, who last turned out for NSW in 2015, has been found wanting in defence of late and was exposed again in Newcastle's last-round 24-6 loss to Sydney Roosters.

Five-game rookie Jaelen Feeney is tipped to replace Hodkinson in the halves while Queensland flyer Dane Gagai is a chance to take the captain's reins.

In the meantime, Brown is keeping his fingers crossed they finally nab a marquee name.

"We want to attract some high-profile players with a lot of experience to go with our younger players," he said.

"The players we are looking at are very well-credentialled.

"At the end of the day most players are staying put, not many are leaving, we're just looking at a number of players that we are throwing our hat in the ring for if they do decide to leave their current club."

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