But on Saturday night Cory Paterson returned for the Newcastle Knights with enough impact in the loss to Melbourne to suggest he could yet play a key role in the big games ahead.

The towering back-rower played 48 minutes off the bench, making 80 metres from nine hit-ups and eight tackles, in his first game since announcing on April 24 that he was battling clinical depression and had been ordered to stand down.

Yesterday the 22-year-old was nursing a bruised shoulder but was delighted to be back.

"It was just good to be back in the team environment," Paterson said.

"It took a while to get into it, and I've still got a fair way to go. But it's good to be back out there with the boys again."

Paterson played two games last month for feeder club Lakes United, but his first top-grade game since he played the Dragons in round five was naturally a step up.

"Twelve weeks out is a long time," he said. "Obviously I've played two games for Lakes, but it's completely different playing in the local comp compared to playing Melbourne down there.

"I felt a bit rusty but I was OK once I got in the swing of things. It'd be nice to get the rest of the season in."

The return of Paterson will leave coach Brian Smith with some tough selection decisions before Saturday night's home clash with the Raiders.

Steve Simpson is expected to return after missing the Storm game with flu to bolster a back-row rotation that includes Zeb Taia, Matt Hilder, Chris Houston, Marvin Karawana and Paterson.