THE NRMA Insurance Broncos should have the services of giant winger Corey Oates back for their must-win clash with the Newcastle Knights on Saturday.

And boom prop Tevita Pangai junior has a chance of returning from injury as well after he was named on an extended bench.

The Broncos badly need to defeat the Knights to stay in touch with the top teams early in the season.

While they are 11th on points differential on the ladder, they are in equal-fifth place with seven other teams on four premiership points.

But another loss on top of the disappointing defeat to the Titans and the Broncos will be right back in the pack.

The injection of Origin representative Oates will help after he missed Sunday’s loss because of a hip problem.

Coach Wayne Bennett today named him to start on the wing, relegating Jonus Pearson to the reserves list.

If Oates can get through training tomorrow morning he will be a starter in Newcastle on Saturday night.

Pangai junior is named in jersey number 19 as he seeks a clearance from a hamstring injury, although his presence in the reserves suggests that could be a long shot.

Bennett largely stayed strong with the team that were beaten by the Titans, with Oates the only change to the starting 17.

But the coach has also put the older brigade on notice by naming two youngsters in the extended squad of 21 – the 20-year-old centre Gehamat Shibasaki and 18-year-old prop Payne Haas.

BRONCOS NRL SQUAD

1. Darius Boyd ©

2. Corey Oates

3. James Roberts

4. Jack Bird

5. Jamayne Isaako

6. Anthony Milford

7. Kodi Nikorima

8. Matt Lodge

9. Andrew McCullough

10. Korbin Sims

11. Alex Glenn

12. Matt Gillett

13. Josh McGuire

Interchange:

14. Sam Thaiday

15. Joe Ofahengaue

16. Tom Opacic

17. Jaydn Su’A

Reserve: Jonus Pearson

Reserve: Tevita Pangai junior

Reserve: Gehamat Shibasaki

Reserve: Payne Haas

Coach: Wayne Bennett