TODD Carney has reportedly flown to Sydney off his own bat in an effort to fast-track a sit-down with NRL boss Todd Greenberg.

North Queensland has submitted a contract for Carney but the NRL is yet to green light the deal.

Greenberg was asked for an update on Monday and explained to media what he wants from Carney before agreeing to his return to the competition.

Carney must show the NRL what counselling and rehabilitation work he’s completed if he’s to have his North Queensland contract registered.

Round 20

Carney is currently playing for Cowboys feeder club Northern Pride and has made it no secret he’d like to play first grade in Australia again after being deregistered in 2014 over the infamous “bubbler” incident.

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It’s believed the NRL will interview Carney before his contract is approved, but on Monday Greenberg said a meeting was yet to be set up.

“We have written to the club and to his manager putting in some steps and a process of which we will consider a registration,” Greenberg said.

“I understand that information will come through over the next week or so.”

Comparisons between Carney and Matt Lodge have been made for months since the controversial Brisbane prop was allowed to return to the game following his 2015 New York rampage and domestic violence allegations.

Lodge told Fox Sports in a recent interview he’d undertaken “a couple of year’s” worth of rehabilitation and counselling, something which the NRL took into consideration when they reviewed his Broncos contract.

Todd Carney wants to return to the NRL with the Cowboys. Picture: JUSTIN BRIERTY Source: News Corp Australia

“I understand why people will make comparisons about previous behaviour,” Greenberg said.

“The comparison that we will draw will be very much about the work that’s been undertaken in order to return to the game.

“While people will straight away go to comparing the conduct, one of the key parts on top of that will be comparing the work that has been undertaken by the player before he returns to the NRL.

“I would like to see what counselling work he’s done, what rehabilitation work he’s done, what commitment he’s made in order to ensure he gets a new contract.

“That’s the work and that’s the information we’ll be assessing.”

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