Canterbury’s Trent Hodkinson has declared himself a certain starter for Saturday night’s preliminary final against Penrith.

Hodkinson has been battling the knee injury he picked up in last week’s thrilling win over Manly, but ran strongly in Friday morning’s captain’s run.

“The knee is all right,” Hodkinson told Fairfax.

“It was a bit sore earlier in the week but it’s come on leaps and bounds since then.”

The halfback had not trained earlier in the week because of the knee problem which he is set to be operated on, in the off-season.

Hodkinson, the first choice goalkicker for the Bulldogs, was replaced midway through the first half last Saturday night, after collecting a nasty knock from Sea Eagles skipper Jamie Lyon.

He came back on to score the decisive field goal which ultimately separated the two sides in golden point extra time.