The Storm return to AAMI Park after 38 days away from their home ground to take on the team holding up the rest of the ladder in the Newcastle Knights.

The Knights have shown signs of improvement in 2017, however, have been unable to consistently string together performances to challenge teams on a weekly basis.

They'll welcome back Nathan Ross into the lineup after he was dropped following comments about his contract situation while Dane Gagai has been named to back up from Origin duty.

Josh Starling also returns for the Knights, as he'll take on the returning Jesse Bromwich, who will be out to make a statement after a club-imposed suspension following the illicit drugs saga while in the New Zealand camp.

The Storm are heavily-backed favourites, and rightly so, however with the tempting option for Craig Bellamy to rest one or all three of his Origin stars, that might open the door for the Knights.

Billy Slater will be fresh, however, and ready to prove to Queensland selectors what they missed out on and should lead the Storm to victory, with or without their Maroon representatives.

Storm by 14.