Chris Houston appears to have played his last game for the Knights after being told he does not feature in the plans of new coach Nathan Brown.

Under contract to Newcastle for season 2016, Houston has been absent from pre-season training after a recent meeting with Brown, at which the 30-year-old back-rower was advised to explore other alternatives.

"Chris has had a conversation with Nathan, and it was all very honest and transparent and respectful," Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said. "Chris is weighing up a number of options as we speak."

Asked what the likely outcome would be if Houston insisted on honouring his contract, Gidley replied: "He's a contracted player with us next year, and if that's the way it goes, we'll be fulfilling all the entitlements in his contract."