Newcastle Knights are set to throw outcast Willie Mason an NRL lifeline.
The maligned representative forward will undergo a medical test with the Knights on Tuesday in the final step to his return.
Mason simply needs to pass his medical examination to be registered with Wayne Bennett's side for the remainder of the year.
Mason, who left the NRL in 2010 to play in the English Super League and then French rugby, has been campaigning for a return and has now been given a late lifeline.
Bennett has always been a fan of Mason and is in desperate need of a prop to take some load off off-season recruit Kade Snowden.
Mason met with Bennett two months ago, but then agreed to join the Wests Tigers. However, after details of the negotiations were revealed, the Tigers board scuppered the move when sponsors threatened to walk away from the club due to Mason's controversial past.
Mason has since been training with sprint coach Roger Fabri and fitness guru Trent Langlands while seeking a deal with Newcastle or Penrith.
Bennett, frustrated by his side's lack of thrust up front, has pounced with a cut-price offer.
It's understood Mason will receive a minimal deal of about $40,000 plus match payments.
Mason's expected signing continues owner Nathan Tinkler's drive to have local players return to play for Newcastle.
Already the Knights have lured back local juniors Snowden, Timana Tahu and Danny Buderus since Tinkler took over.
Mason grew up in Toronto and played his junior career in Newcastle before joining Canterbury-Bankstown.
He is one of the most divisive characters in the game because of his strong opinions, unpredictable behaviour and run-ins with authority.
Mason controversially left the Bulldogs to join bitter rivals Sydney Roosters in 2008, before being flicked by the Bondi club at the end of 2009.
He resurfaced at North Queensland Cowboys in 2010, but decided to take up a deal at Hull last year.
Barely six games into a three-year deal, Mason walked out on Hull to join rugby club Toulon. But he hated the game and never managed a start, and has been attempting to return to league for months.
Bennett joined Newcastle to much ceremony this season but has yet to find his usual success after three wins and four losses to start his reign - including two defeats to his former club, St George Illawarra.
The maligned representative forward will undergo a medical test with the Knights on Tuesday in the final step to his return.
Mason simply needs to pass his medical examination to be registered with Wayne Bennett's side for the remainder of the year.
Mason, who left the NRL in 2010 to play in the English Super League and then French rugby, has been campaigning for a return and has now been given a late lifeline.
Bennett has always been a fan of Mason and is in desperate need of a prop to take some load off off-season recruit Kade Snowden.
Mason met with Bennett two months ago, but then agreed to join the Wests Tigers. However, after details of the negotiations were revealed, the Tigers board scuppered the move when sponsors threatened to walk away from the club due to Mason's controversial past.
Mason has since been training with sprint coach Roger Fabri and fitness guru Trent Langlands while seeking a deal with Newcastle or Penrith.
Bennett, frustrated by his side's lack of thrust up front, has pounced with a cut-price offer.
It's understood Mason will receive a minimal deal of about $40,000 plus match payments.
Mason's expected signing continues owner Nathan Tinkler's drive to have local players return to play for Newcastle.
Already the Knights have lured back local juniors Snowden, Timana Tahu and Danny Buderus since Tinkler took over.
Mason grew up in Toronto and played his junior career in Newcastle before joining Canterbury-Bankstown.
He is one of the most divisive characters in the game because of his strong opinions, unpredictable behaviour and run-ins with authority.
Mason controversially left the Bulldogs to join bitter rivals Sydney Roosters in 2008, before being flicked by the Bondi club at the end of 2009.
He resurfaced at North Queensland Cowboys in 2010, but decided to take up a deal at Hull last year.
Barely six games into a three-year deal, Mason walked out on Hull to join rugby club Toulon. But he hated the game and never managed a start, and has been attempting to return to league for months.
Bennett joined Newcastle to much ceremony this season but has yet to find his usual success after three wins and four losses to start his reign - including two defeats to his former club, St George Illawarra.
