NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Kalyn Ponga of the Newcastle Knights in the warm up during round one NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 15, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga will have a decision to make ahead of Saturday's clash with Manly.

Ponga recently flew to New Zealand to be with his family after the death of his cousin, with coach Nathan Brown letting Ponga decide whether or not he feels up to playing against the Sea Eagles.

"Sometimes football has to take a backseat and if that was the case this weekend, we're very supportive as a club," Brown told reporters.

"But as it turns out, I believe Kalyn is keen to play. Andre [Ponga's father] is adamant that Kalyn certainly wants to play.

"It's obviously a very difficult situation for the family, it's very close to home so the whole family's obviously quite upset as we'd all expect. We've been told to expect KP will be home in the morning (on Friday) and we'll have a light run tomorrow afternoon."

The Knights host the Sea Eagles and will be looking to improve on their 1-3 start to the season.