I would drop Knight back into midfield with James and have Weimann more advanced of the three .
Max
Tanner Vyner Naismith Pring
Knight James
Weimann
Sykes Wells Bell
This resonates with me as, by the sounds of it, I am going through something very similar.
Hope you’re doing okay now chap and you are at peace with whatever it was that was bothering you.
I am almost so nearly at the point you mention in bold.
Who cares. If he re signs and can prove his fitness it will be another very good centre back option without having to get the cheque book out again in terms of a fee . We all know he always gives 110% for the club when he plays so that’s not an issue for me.