Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett has named a 27-man squad for Saturday’s NRL trial clash with Penrith at the Regional Stadium in Port Macquarie.

The match will mark Bennett’s first official game in charge of the Knights since his arrival from St George Illawarra, as the master coach begins his quest to win a eighth premiership with a third club.

It will also see new signings Darius Boyd, and Adam Cuthbertson make their debuts and Kade Snowden, Timana Tahu and Danny Buderus play their first games since returning to the club.

The Knights also announced on Wednesday plans to launch a hall of fame to mark the club’s 25th anniversary.

Supporters will be invited to select a list of the club’s top 25 players from Thursday with the results to be announced ahead of the Knights’ season opener against St George Illawarra on March 1.

A selection panel will then reduce the list to 10, to be named on March 16 before the clash with Brisbane at Ausgrid Stadium.

That will then be narrowed down to four names, who will subsequently become the first entrants to the hall of fame to be announced at a gala dinner on April 4.

Fans can vote on the Knights, NBN or Newcastle Herald websites.

Squad: Chris Adams, Darius Boyd, Danny Buderus, Neville Costigan, Adam Cuthbertson, Joel Edwards, Richie Fa’aoso, Marvin Filipo, Kurt Gidley, Matt Hilder, Chris Houston, Siuatonga Likiliki, Alex McKinnon, James McManus, Jarrod Mullen, Wes Naiqama, Kevin Naiqama, Kyle O’Donnell, Tyrone Roberts, Tafeaga Junior Sa’u, Korbin Sims, Kade Snowden, Timana Tahu, Zeb Taia, Zane Tetevano, Evarn Tuimavave, Akuila Uate.