Stuart has been impressed with how the group have reacted on the training track this week as they look to end a four-game losing streak when they take on the Knights at Wagga Wagga on Saturday.

They've had several off-field distractions, with the Raiders confirming Josh Hodgson stepped down as co-captain, a player's wife criticising Stuart on social media and then revelations England international George Williams was struggling with homesickness.

But they've dealt with it all internally and Stuart was buoyed with the effort at training.

They'll look to get their season back on track when they run out against the Knights in front of a sold-out crowd.

"They've got a really good, upbeat attitude and we trained really well this week," Stuart said.

"When you're losing some games consecutively like we have that's the most important thing to me right now about getting our next win - that we're still training well and we've got a good positive energy."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Stuart was also confident Hodgson was fully committed to the club after being linked with Brisbane and Canterbury in the wake of relinquishing the captaincy.

Hodgson has one season remaining on his Raiders contract.

"We knew about this two or three weeks ago and it hasn't surprised us. We've dealt with this and we've moved on," Stuart said.

In positive news for the Green Machine, Stuart said Williams (hamstring) and centre Sebastian Kris (ankle) got through the captain's run on Friday - but Sam Williams and Matt Timoko have been retained on the extended bench as back up.

Williams was a late withdrawal last week with a back-related neural problem, forcing Jack Wighton to lead Canberra on his own.

His return not only adds another quality kicking option, but an attacking threat as well.

"They got through training today. George has trained really well all week and Sebastian's had one-and-a-half sessions on his ankle now and the boys passed him today so he's right to go," Stuart said.

Stuart said the return of State of Origin star Josh Papalii was a massive boost for the struggling Green Machine.

Their forward pack has been beaten during their losing streak, with Papalii one of the best props in the game.

He was rested last week, with Stuart confident the week off would help his big bopper recover his top form.

"He was the one ringing me over the weekend saying he was hungry to play this week," the Raiders coach said.

"It's important for the team to have one of our leaders of the pack wanting to play and be up front and starting him. Hoping for and expecting a big performance from him."

NRL ROUND NINE

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights at Wagga Wagga, 3pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Caleb Aekins, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Hudson Young, 16. Corey Horsburgh, 17. Joe Tapine. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 20. Matt Timoko.

Knights squad: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Brayden Musgrove, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 19. Starford To'a, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Phoenix Crossland, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Connor Watson. Interchange: 14. Sauaso Sue, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Brodie Jones, 17. Pasami Saulo. Reserves: 18. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 22 Gehamat Shibasaki.