CAPTAIN Kurt Gidley said the Knights owed seasoned second-rower Steve Simpson nothing less than a win in his 200th NRL game against South Sydney at EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight.

Following in the footsteps of fellow Knights legends Andrew Johns, Tony Butterfield, Robbie O'Davis, Matt Gidley and Danny Buderus, Simpson will become only the sixth player in the club's history to reach the double century.

The unassuming, uncompromising 29-year-old has also played seven Tests for Australia and 13 State of Origin games for NSW since making his NRL debut against Parramatta on April 30, 1999, earning the respect and admiration of teammates and opponents in the process.

"He's the guy I've played with my whole career. The style of play that he plays is something that I love," said Gidley, who will play his 145th game tonight.

"The traits that he has in his game are exactly what you want in a forward, that's for sure.

"It's a massive occasion 200 games is a big achievement by any standards but it's all with one club, which makes it even more important.

"Everyone likes to win their first game, their 100th game, any milestone game; and 200 for one club is a huge milestone. Simmo deserves to win on a day like this more than anyone.

"He'll be one of only six blokes over 22 years to have done it here, and he's worked really hard to get there too."

Knights coach Brian Smith said Gidley and some other senior players would address the team before kick-off tonight to stress the importance of the occasion.

"That won't be too long-winded or anything but it will be a timely reminder of what a great job he's done," Smith said.

"A bit of the focus this week has been on Simmo and his 200th game. Him and Kurt have not only been teammates for a long time, they're good mates off the field as well, so Kurt's been stressing that to the boys as well, about playing as if it was your own 200th . . .

"You wouldn't notice too much difference about Simmo this week. He's had his photo taken and he's had some nice things said about him, but apart from that he's going about his business in the same way."

Cheered on by his nearest and dearest, Simpson will lead the Knights out tonight wearing a commemorative jersey embroidered with the date and details of his 200th game.

"All the family and close friends are coming down and the Knights have helped us out there, putting them all up in a box, and I know they're looking forward to the night," Simpson said.

"Everything's gone well. The week's been really good and the boys are nice and fresh and keen . . . It would be great to win on an occasion like this but, in saying that, I think everyone's just got to go out and play their game and put all that to one side a little bit and just go out there, be enthusiastic and do what we've got to do."

Fullback Shannon McDonnell, who was included in an extended squad as insurance for Gidley, has been omitted and Smith said Newcastle would start "as named, one to 17".

The Knights have not played since a 13-0 loss to the Warriors in Auckland 17 days ago and the Rabbitohs have had a 16-day break since a 28-22 loss to Melbourne in Perth.

Smith included two rest periods, an overnight camp at Port Stephens, and a staggered return to training last week in a meticulously planned preparation but said that would count for little if the players did not produce against Souths.

Elusive Souths hooker Craig Wing, who scored two tries and was man of the match in their 22-12 victory over the Knights at Gosford on March 28, has succumbed to the hamstring injury that ruled him out of Origin II in Sydney last Wednesday.

Wing, who would have lined up for his 250th NRL appearance tonight, could not complete training yesterday.

Souths coach Jason Taylor added Beau Falloon to a 19-man squad but Kiwi international Issac Luke is expected to replace Wing in their run-on side.