Corey Horsburgh wants to lock in Canberra Raiders No.13

To help do that, he'll need to help keep Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga quiet in his return from suspension against the Raiders at Campbelltown on Sunday.

Horsburgh has grown up playing lock and would like nothing more than establishing himself there in the NRL.

The continued absence of John Bateman (shoulder) has created an opportunity for the 22-year-old Queenslander in the Raiders middle.

Joe Tapine has moved into the second row, allowing Horsburgh to shift from the bench to start at lock.

Horsburgh's averaging 113.1 run metres and 33.7 tackles per game, and has made seven offloads and five tackle busts this season.

"I'd love to. I've played 13 most of my life and I really love the start, the intensity of the start of the game, so I'd love to stay there," he said on Thursday.

"But whatever the team wants I'm happy to be a part of this squad, it's something special.

"It's big for myself. I get to start in the starting spot still, but I wouldn't care coming off the bench or starting ... I'll get the same minutes either way so I'm happy to do whatever the team wants."

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Part of that will include stopping Ponga.

It will be the Knights fullback's first game under the new six-again, ruck rules.

Ponga could be dangerous sniffing around the ruck with a forward pack on the back foot.

But Horsburgh was confident they could contain him.

"He's obviously one of the best fullbacks in the comp so it's going to be a big job for everyone on the park, but we've got the players that can stop him so no threat there," he said.

Horsburgh played for the Junior Kangaroos last year and is emerging as one of the best young forwards in the game, but the fiery redhead wasn't content.

"I've still got plenty more to give and I'm trying to build on each performance as it comes," he said.

"Just my choices - like stupid offloads, I feel like I can run harder and not worry about that offload."

While he said it was disappointing to lose Bateman indefinitely, he was confident they had the depth to cover his continued absence.

They've been able to shift Tapine, a New Zealand international, into the second row as cover.

The Raiders are also expected to welcome Ryan Sutton back from a calf injury next week, while Hudson Young (suspended) is also due back in the coming weeks.

"It's really disappointing. [Bateman]'s obviously the best backrower in the comp and he's a massive loss to our team, but we've got the depth in the squad. Hudson will be back soon," Horsburgh said.

"Hopefully he comes in soon so we can give him a big cuddle."

NRL ROUND FOUR

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown Stadium, 4.05pm.

Raiders team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Corey Horsburgh. Interchange from: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Emre Guler, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Jordan Rapana, 18. Tom Starling, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Kai O'Donnell, 21. Michael Oldfield.

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Aidan Guerra, 12. Sione Mata'utia, 13. Herman Ese'ese. Interchange from: 14. Tex Hoy, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Tim Glasby, 17. Brodie James, 18. Gehamat Shibasaki, 19. Chris Randall, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Pasami Saulo.