Dolphins can still play finals: Marshall-King

The Knights are on 25 points, just one outside the top eight, while the Dolphins are three further back on 22.

For the Dolphins to play in the semi-finals they would need to win all five of their remaining games and hope the teams currently on 26 points, North Queensland, Cronulla and South Sydney, slip up.

It's unlikely but Marshall-King is clinging to the possibility.

"There is still belief in this group that we can get there (and play finals). We are not giving up now," Marshall-King said.

"We keep coming to training with positive vibes."

Marshall-King returned to the Dolphins side in Sunday's 23-22 loss to Canterbury after a three-game break with a shoulder injury.

"I pulled up well after the game and it gives me the confidence that it is pretty good," he said.

"I have just got to keep going. It has been tough. I hate watching from the sideline, I just want to get on the field and help my teammates."

The Dolphins will be without injured centre Euan Aitken against the Knights with utility Kodi Nikorima named to make a positional switch.

"Anywhere you put him he is up to the job," Marshall-King said.

Nikorima trained away from the main group on Wednesday after sustaining a minor injury in the loss to Canterbury but is expected to feature against the Knights.

The 29-year-old played five-eighth against the Bulldogs but his shift to the centres has opened up an opportunity for Anthony Milford to move from the bench to the starting No.6 position.

Milford changed the game with two tries when he came on against the Bulldogs, including one in the final minutes before Jamayne Isaako missed the conversion that would have won the match.

"Milf is an experienced player and when he came on he lit up our team," Marshall-King said. 

"It is great to have him in the (starting) side."

The Dolphins and Newcastle will play the opening game of a double-header in Perth, with South Sydney taking on Cronulla in Saturday's second match at Optus Stadium.