St George Illawarra insist no contact has been made with Trent Merrin as they hold off on a possible replacement for Jack de Belin until next week.
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Merrin was heavily linked with an NRL comeback on Monday after being granted permission by Leeds to return to Australia due to a family bereavement.
The 29-year-old left the NRL late last year after being granted a release from the final two years of his deal at Penrith to sign a four-year contract in England.
Speculation of a return began in March when it emerged the Dragons could apply for a salary cap exemption due to the code's new no-fault stand-down policy.
Merrin arrived in the Super League on marquee billing, however he has failed to prevent the Rhinos from a disastrous start to the new season.
Leeds are currently in last spot with just two wins from 10 matches. It is understood the Dragons will earnestly begin their search for a replacement once de Belin's fight against the NRL's new policy is over next week. The final hearing is due back in Federal Court on April 16.
Former Panthers teammate Reagan Campbell-Gillard said he had spoken to Merrin, who insisted all the chatter was mere speculation.
However the Penrith prop revealed Merrin was reluctant to leave the NRL and only took up the offer because of the security of the long-term deal.
''Obviously he was trying to get another club here to pick him up but that offer from Leeds was obviously something couldn't turn down,'' Campbell-Gillard said.
''It's a different lifestyle. He probably didn't want to do it on those types of terms but rugby league, it's a bloody competition and it's a business.
''It's one of those things you just have to cop and move on from it.''
Campbell-Gillard said he had already circled in their date with the Dragons in the hope of going toe-to-toe with his former neighbour.
''I've told him if he does come back I'll be going for his head,'' he said.
''Round 18, I think. I've got some close friends at the Dragons as well. I know that exactly. Friday night, 7:30pm, out here.
''It's one of those games you want to get up for against really good mates and former teammates. That one is definitely pencilled in in the diary.''
