Dugan is determined to return to the field after a month-long absence for next weekend's match with the in-form Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium.

His arrival couldn't come at a better time, with Raiders captain Terry Campese sidelined indefinitely.

Campese was expected to miss between two and six weeks with a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, but unconfirmed reports via the Twitter account of former Australian and Queensland representative Ben Ikin suggest Campese will require a second reconstruction today, ruling him out for the season.

Raiders officials did not return calls from The Canberra Times last night.

Sam Williams will move into the halves after he was omitted from the Raiders' feeder team Mounties for their NSW Cup on Sunday.

Williams played 18 NRL games for the Raiders in his rookie season last year and will renew his partnership with Josh McCrone.

Dugan played some of his junior football in the No.6 jersey, sparking speculation he could have followed the lead of Parramatta custodian Jarryd Hayne, who will line up at five-eighth for City on Sunday.

But with Williams having shown he's more than capable of handling himself in the top grade, Dugan will have three games to prove to Blues coach Ricky Stuart he should be there to face the Maroons in Melbourne.

Raiders assistant coach Andrew McFadden rated Dugan a ''50-50'' chance to face the Sharks but said if he did return it would be at fullback.

''I wouldn't think [he'd play five-eighth] at this stage,'' McFadden said.

''That takes time to build into that position, and we've got some very handy replacements.

''Sam Williams did the job for us last year and he's going to be another year more experienced.

''In terms of Duges, it's not out of the question down the track but I think his main role for the team will be at fullback.

''Although I'd think he'd do an admirable job, I think it's probably not a realistic choice for us at the moment.''

McFadden said the Raiders wouldn't take any risks with their star custodian

Reece Robinson has been a stand out at fullback while Dugan has been out, but would most likely shift to the wing and force young gun Jack Wighton back to the club's under-20s team when Dugan returns.

''Reece has done a really good job,'' McFadden said.

''There's certainly some areas that he needs to improve, but in terms of someone who's had limited time there in his career … obviously we've practised him up there in the pre-season, that's why we were so confident going into these games.

''It's good to have someone like Reece who can fill in for Duges if he does get injured.''

Lock Shaun Fensom (bicep) and forward Trevor Thurling (knee) could also come back from injury to face the Sharks.