NRL: Coach backs Jennings to fire in tough Newcastle encounter

SYDNEY - Penrith coach Matthew Elliott has backed Michael Jennings to end his tryscoring drought, and says he's unconcerned with the NSW centre's quiet start to the NRL campaign.

Jennings, who revealed last week that he was playing with a knee injury that could require surgery later in the year, is yet to cross the tryline this season, but Elliott is confident that statistic will end soon.

The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick against the Knights in a pre-season trial match at Port Macquarie in February and Elliott said his star player's morale hasn't been dented by his quiet start.

"Tryscoring for someone like Michael is a result of how the team is going ... he scored plenty of tries in the trials including a hat-trick so that stuff will come," Elliott said.

"I really liked what he did for us against Melbourne last week, he showed up in different parts of the field and the tries will come for him when we get up some momentum.

"A lot of Michael's tries come from how we are playing, so it is not down to him playing badly, it is more because he has not been getting as many opportunities and is something we need to rectify."

Elliott's side travel to Newcastle tonight, the scene of their lowest point of last season, when they slumped to a 35-0 defeat in round 26, a result that cost them a place in the finals.

And with the Knights struggling badly since their opening round win over Canterbury, Elliott said he has no need to warn his players about the threat of Rick Stone's side, who like the Panthers have a 1-2 record.

"If we are going to use that result from last season as motivation then we are really going to struggle, what we need to do is make sure we are ready to take on a team that desperately want to win as well," he said.

"Newcastle won't be content with their start to the season and I think attitude is going to have a massive impact on this game and I need to make sure ours is spot on as the Knights are a strong side, especially at home."

Elliott also denied backrower Trent Waterhouse would be a late addition to his side for the clash at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Waterhouse has not played this season due to a thigh problem and Elliott said it was too early in the season to risk the test star.

"He is still not fully fit and if we do play him he is at risk of tearing his quad and that could put him out with a long-term injury and we can't afford that."

When and where

* Knights v Panthers

* Energy/Australia Stadium

* Tonight, 6pm

* SS2

- AAP