Josh Dugan is on the verge of returning to the NRL after his manager met St George Illawarra officials on Wednesday to finalise a contract with the joint venture club.

A source close to the deal told Fairfax Media that Dugan's manager, Paul Sutton, held talks with Dragons chief executive Peter Doust and recruitment manager Craig Young on Wednesday afternoon to settle the details. The NRL is yet to receive the contract from the Dragons for registration but it is understood St George Illawarra could announce his signing as early as Thursday.

Return: Josh Dugan. Credit:Getty Images

The NRL has given no guarantees it will sign off on the contract immediately, but the Dragons hope to have the troubled fullback in their side for the round-nine clash with the Gold Coast Titans on May 12. It's understood the deal is for the rest of 2013 plus another two years, but that several clauses have caused delays.

The Dragons are wary of Dugan, who was sacked after round one by the Raiders due to a string of disciplinary breaches, bringing them into disrepute with his off-field behaviour, and are ensuring they are legally covered.