Young Knight Kyle O'Donnell's set to take on the Rabbitohs big boppers

KYLE O'Donnell's older brother Luke quit the North Queensland Cowboys in 2010 as the most suspended player in NRL history.

Kyle O'Donnell

HIS former Test-playing older brother Luke quit the North Queensland Cowboys for the English Super League in 2010 as the most suspended player in NRL history.

And if you talk to those in the know at the Newcastle Knights, they'll tell you 21-year-old Kyle O'Donnell doesn't take a backward step on the football field either.

"He's a typical O'Donnell, that's for sure," Knights NSW Cup coach Rip Taylor says.

"A great trainer with a real good attitude and plenty of aggression. He doesn't mind ripping in."

Which is just as well because the young O'Donnell is in for a real baptism of fire when he makes his NRL debut for the Knights off the bench against a powerhouse South Sydney forward pack at ANZ Stadium this afternoon.

Originally named as 18th man for the clash by coach Wayne Bennett, O'Donnell will come on to the bench for interchange hooker Chris Adams, who drops back to NSW Cup today.

It will mean skipper Danny Buderus will be asked to play the full 80 minutes again against the Rabbitohs.

Signed by the Knights from the Sharks at the end of 2010, the former Junior Kangaroo arrived in Newcastle as a backrower but has been largely used in recent times in the NSW Cup in the front row.

Off contract at the end of the season, it is understood Bennett is keen to have a look at him in higher company before making a judgment on his future at the club. He gets his chance following the knee injury to prop Kade Snowden.

"Wayne's pretty keen to see where Kyle is at but whether he gets an opportunity this week or over the next couple of weeks, I'm not too sure," Knights CEO Matt Gidley said during the week.

Taylor has no doubts O'Donnell is ready.

"He was out for a month with a foot injury but has been back three weeks now and has been holding his gloves up," Taylor said. "He played 35 or 40 minutes off the bench for NSW Residents against Queensland the other night and held his own. He certainly warrants a look when Wayne's ready to use him."