THE player transfer carousel is almost in full swing with several players ready to switch clubs as the NRL pre-season gets under way.

Newcastle and Parramatta returned to training this week but could have some fresh faces joining them before the Christmas break.

Having added Will Smith to their squad last week, the Eels are believed to be looking for a final piece with a big man the target.

Former Kiwi international Frank Pritchard is the preference but a handful of others are also on their radar.

Round 20

Manly haven’t finished their roster overhaul with talks continuing as they attempt to bring Curtis Sironen across from the Tigers. They have also been in dialogue with a backrower in the Super League after releasing Jamie Buhrer to Newcastle.

Manly coach Trent Barrett watches on. Source: News Corp Australia

Foxsports.com.au won’t publish the former NRL player’s name as he is yet to ask his current club for a release.

While the Sea Eagles traded Buhrer for Aku Uate, they are also short an outside back.

Penrith utility Dean Whare has been linked with a return but the Panthers are adamant he will see out his contract.

The same goes for exciting winger Dallin Waetene-Zelezniak who the mountain men are in discussions with to extend his stay a further two seasons.

Cronulla are still chasing an experienced hooker to fill the hole left by the retirement of veteran rake Mick Ennis.

Foxsports.com.au understands the defending premiers have drawn up a short list of ideal candidates and are happy to play the waiting game until the transfer dominoes start to fall.

Initial moves are sure to trigger a chain of movements which could see the Sharks net a No.9 who can help groom young gun Jayden Brailey for regular first grade.

James Segeyaro during his time with the Panthers. Source: News Corp Australia

Former Penrith rake James Segeyaro features on that list but is contracted with Super League giants Leeds.

Segeyaro does not have a release clause in his deal which would allow him to return to the NRL if he attracted an offer.

This means the Rhinos would need to grant him a release if he agitates for a return, and while you never say never in rugby league, it’s highly unlikely.

The Sharks are however undecided on whether they will offer fringe first graders Jacob Gagan and Junior Rociqa new contracts.

The Raiders recently released Paul Vaughan to take up an opportunity to secure his long term future with St George Illawarra but they’ve found a replacement as the Dragons get ready to return to training on Monday.

Ricky Stuart’s Raiders have signed Red V forward Dunamis Lui on a two-year-deal.

Paul Vaughan on the charge. Source: News Corp Australia

The Dragons still have some cash to play with and are without an established half for 2017.

With Drew Hutchison and Josh McCrone the top candidates for the jersey vacated by Benji Marshall, the club won’t be signing a half unless one of quality becomes available.

They did express an interest in exciting Warriors utility Tuimoala Lolohea earlier in the year but the Warriors have previously declared they will not be releasing him.

The Dragons have also been linked to former bad boy Todd Carney, however he has several hoops to jump through before an NRL return is any chance of becoming a reality.

Newcastle aren’t finished tweaking their roster either. While they’ve satisfied their need for an extra back by signing Ken Sio, they are still in the market for an experienced forward.

Foxsports.com.au understands they are in dialogue with several potential recruits but in no rush to make a signing.

Jake Mamo of the Knights takes a run. Source: Getty Images

Like the Titans did in 2016, the Knights are happy to sit tight as rivals feel the pinch of the salary cap and are slowly forced to offload players.

Another vital element in their roster rejig will be their ability to offload Jake Mamo, Jack Stockwell and possibly Tyler Randall.

“We saw Michael Jennings move (clubs) in early December last year,” Knights coach Nathan Brown said.

“If you believe what you hear, there’s a number of clubs under salary-cap pressure and different clubs are trying to move different players for different reasons ... you just don’t know who becomes available this year.’’

The Gold Coast have Kevin Proctor joining their squad after the Christmas break with the Melbourne backrower securing his long-term future this week.

Several players have been moved on at the Titans with Greg Bird, Josh Hoffman, David Mead and Luke Douglas all leaving the club.

William Zillman of the Titans competes for the ball. Source: Getty Images

Fullback Will Zillman is another the club is trying to push out the door but the 30-year-old is digging his heels in.

Zillman comes off contract at the end of next season and is one of the club’s highest paid players for 2017.

Unlike Zillman, several off-contract players are also frantically trying to sort their futures.

Sea Eagles utility Blake Leary wasn’t re-signed once the season concluded and has moved back to Townsville.

A former Cowboy, Leary has joined the Blackhawks in the Intrust Super Cup for 2017.

Others remain in limbo like Elijah Taylor who is continuing negotiations with the Wests Tigers and Luciano Leilua at the Dragons.

This writer is on Twitter @Nath_Ryan

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