Newcastle NSW Cup coach Rip Taylor has been given strict instructions from Wayne Bennett on how to use Willie Mason in his return to rugby league on Sunday.

Mason hasn’t played the 13-man game since his stint at Hull Kingston Rovers was cut short at six games early in 2011, and has trained on his own since gaining a release from French rugby union club Toulon in January.

Taylor said he would start Mason at prop against the Illawarra Cutters at Cronulla’s Toyota Stadium on Sunday, but how much game time he gives the former Australia and NSW Origin star will be guided by Bennett.

“Wayne’s given me a bit of an idea of what he wants to get out of him, so that’s where it will start and end obviously,” Taylor told AAP.

“I wasn’t at the session where they (Knights training staff) put him through some stuff, but from all reports he’s presented himself in good nick, so well done to him really. He’s certainly brought a buzz to the joint.”

Mason joined in for his first run with the Knights reserve grade side on Friday and will complete a final opposed session on Saturday.

Illawarra coach Paul McGregor, who has worked with Mason in representative teams in the past, said the giant front-rower will have a point to prove in his return and the Cutters have a chance to make life difficult for him.

“We’ve got to challenge him on every play if he hasn’t played rugby league for a long time,” said McGregor.

“Our biggest challenge will be to keep him honest the whole time.

“He’s infectious the big fella, he gets everyone excited and he has a presence that brings confidence to people around him.

“Willie was unwanted for a long period of time and he was a quality player for a number of years … so when you’re on your last chance and you want to extend beyond this year you’ve got to go out there and prove to the group (your value).”

Five-eighth Albert Kelly will also line up for the Knights in reserve grade on Sunday, making his return to Toyota Stadium after he was cut from the Cronulla Sharks earlier this season.

Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said a couple of weeks ago that Kelly had come to Newcastle to play with local team Central Charlestown, and was unlikely to play for the Knights.

However, circumstances saw Kelly make his first appearance last week in NSW Cup, and Taylor said there was no reason why the exciting playmaker couldn’t force his way into the Knights NRL side this season.

“I’ve got a fair squad in on Sunday and they’d all like to think if they aim up consistently they’ll be looked at and I’m pretty sure most of them will,” said Taylor, who coached Kelly previously in the lower grades at Parramatta.

“I’ve had a fair bit to do with Albert … the kid’s been good. I hope he takes the opportunity.”

It’s believed another troubled rugby league journeyman, Daine Laurie, will also play for the Knights against Illawarra while captain Kurt Gidley said he’s hoping to be fit for the round-eight NRL clash with Penrith on April 30.