Jackson Hastings will play NRL for Newcastle for the first time this season against the Sydney Roosters

Newcastle half Jackson Hastings is set to make his first appearance in the NRL this season as Adam O’Brien contends with his injury-ravaged side.

Newcastle half Jackson Hastings is set to make his first appearance in the NRL this season on Saturday night as the injury-ravaged Knights face one of his former clubs, the Sydney Roosters.

Hastings has had to bide his time in NSW Cup this year but edged closer to the NRL last weekend when he was 18th man in the club’s come-from-behind win over Manly.

He looks set to go one better this week as the Knights deal with more injury and the absence of fullback and captain Kalyn Ponga, who is on State of Origin duty with Queensland.

Jackson Hastings will play NRL for the first time this season. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Hastings, off contract at the end of the season, played 38 games over the previous two seasons with Newcastle but has been unable to force his way into NRL calculations this season despite coach Adam O’Brien tinkering with his halves.

Jack Cogger, Fletcher Sharp and Tyson Gamble have all been preferred but injury and Origin have left O’Brien with little choice but to give Hastings an opportunity.

It comes amid scrutiny over Hastings’ position at the club. His future has been under the microscope for much of the season amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights.

It is understood they were open to his departure mid-season but he now looms as their saviour as they look to continue the momentum they picked up with their win over the Sea Eagles last week.

Originally published as Jackson Hastings will play NRL for Newcastle for the first time this season against the Sydney Roosters