A showdown is looming next week between the NRL and Canterbury over the amount of salary-cap relief the club will receive for the serious shoulder injury suffered by Kieran Foran playing in an international.

As Foran told the Herald he was eyeing a sensational return as early as round 15 against South Sydney, the Bulldogs are preparing to challenge the merits of capping any payout at just $350,000.

Top Dog Kieran Foran broke down in his return for New Zealand last November. Credit:Getty

Under the current rule, introduced in 2018, clubs can receive a maximum $350,000 for any player who breaks down in an international and is ruled out for at least 12 NRL matches.

That figure is little consolation for Canterbury given Foran stands to collect north of $1 million in the final year of his current deal.