Newcastle Knights coach Michael Hagan has named a 19-man squad for next month's World Club Challenge against Bradford Bulls, including 12 players who figured in the NRL Grand Final victory.

Current Test stars Andrew Johns, Matt Gidley and Danny Buderus are named in the party, which will fly out on January 25 to prepare for the clash of the champions at the McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield, on Friday, February 1.

Skipper Johns, this week named as the winner of the prestigious Golden Boot award as world player of the year, is warning his team-mates to be prepared for a titanic encounter.

"I can't stress to our boys just how tough this assignment against the Bulls will be," he said.

"Bradford are big, strong and fast and, in English conditions, will be incredibly hard to beat.

"Their team provided most of the muscle for the Great Britain squad and, with players such as their skipper Robbie Paul able to take advantage of their size up front, it is going to be a tough battle."

Also in the Knights' squad is loose forward Billy Peden, who scored two tries in their 30-24 win over Parramatta at Stadium Australia last October.

But Hagan's men will be without wingers Adam MacDougall and Timana Tahu, who both have groin injuries, and Test second-rower Ben Kennedy, who broke a hand in the Ashes series.

Newcastle Knights' squad: Abraham, Buderus, K Gidley, M Gidley, Hughes, Jobson, Johns (capt), Newton, Morris, O'Brien, O'Davis, O'Doherty, Parsons, Peden, Perry, Quinn, Rudder, Simpson, Smith.