It's hoped he could be in the capital as soon as Friday to begin his life in lime green and could be part of the squad to face the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on August 1.

But he will be unavailable to play the Bulldogs in round 16 - as part of the agreement to release him.

The Raiders were also closing in on a loan deal for Brisbane Broncos prop Ethan Bullemor for the rest of the season.

Brisbane have named Bullemor in their 21 for their clash against the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night as they struggle with an injury crisis of their own.

But they have players returning next week with the deal likely to be finalised in the coming days.

The Raiders have not only replaced the departing John Bateman, who returns to Wigan at the end of the season, but helped ease their middle-forward injury crisis as well.

Harawira-Naera can play in the second-row, as well as in the middle, while their current edge forwards in Elliott Whitehead and Hudson Young can both play in the middle too.

The Kiwi international was available for selection this week after his NRL suspension for his involvement in the Bulldogs' Port Macquarie sex scandal came to an end.

But the Bulldogs didn't name him to play the Newcastle Knights at Newcastle on Sunday.

He wanted out of the club after they failed to stand by him during the pre-season saga.

The Raiders offered Harawira-Naera a deal for the remainder of the 2020 campaign and through until the end of 2022.

He's played for New Zealand alongside several of the Raiders, including lock Joe Tapine.

"It's up to Canterbury. If they release him, we'd like to get him, but the ball's in their court. That makes up for John going that's all," Raiders chief executive Don Furner said earlier on Wednesday.

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

The Raiders have taken advantage of the one positive side effect of the coronavirus - the NRL loan system - to help further solve their middle forward injury crisis.

Bullemor was on the verge of joining the Green Machine on loan for the rest of the 2020 season.

He made his NRL debut in the Broncos' 22-18 victory over South Sydney in round two this season and has now taken his tally to three games.

Injuries to forwards Bateman (shoulder), Josh Hodgson (knee), Sia Soliola (face), Corey Horsburgh (foot) and Emre Guler (ankle) meant the Raiders needed to bolster their middle forward stocks - having also released Luke Bateman, JJ Collins and Jack Murchie.

Although Bateman has been named on the extended bench to face the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

Bullemor will remain contracted to the Broncos for next season.

The news comes as the Bulldogs officially announced Nick Cotric would be joining them on a three-year deal next season.

It's believed to be worth close to $2 million.

Canberra wanted to keep Cotric, but The Canberra Times revealed they pulled out of negotiations last week after the 21-year-old's management came back asking for the Green Machine to bump up their offer ahead of their gutsy win over the Sydney Roosters.

The Raiders had offered Cotric a three-year deal - with the option for two more years - believed to be worth about $500,000 per season.

But Cotric's management asked for Canberra to up the deal by $25,000 last Wednesday night.

That's when Furner withdrew from discussions.

Cotric made his NRL debut for the Raiders against North Queensland in round one of 2017 and has scored 37 tries in 80 games.

Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said they wanted to send both Cotric and Bateman out on a high.

"He's been alright Nicky. I haven't had too much of a chat with him about it all," Croker said.

"It's obviously disappointing - you want to keep everyone. Mates like Nicky, you've seen him come through the juniors from the last three or fours years how well he's gone it's disappointing to see him leave.

"But at the end of the day he's made a decision based on what's best for him and his family. We all all respect that for Nicky.

"Same with Johnny leaving at the end of the year. We just want to make sure these boys enjoy the last couple of months in green and hopefully send them out winners."

NRL ROUND 11

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v South Sydney Rabbitohs at Canberra Stadium, 7.35pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Jordan Rapana, 5. Semi Valemei, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead,13. Kai O'Donnell. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joe Tapine, 16. Ryan Sutton, 17. Harley Smith-Shields. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Darby Medlyn, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. John Bateman.

Rabbitohs squad: 1. Alex Johnston, 2. Corey Allan, 3. Campbell Graham, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Jaxson Paulo, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Thomas Burgess, 11. Jaydn Su'A, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. Mark Nicholls, 15. Hame Sele, 16. Patrick Mago, 17. Jack Johns. Reserves: 18. Kurt Dillon, 19. Keaon Koloamatangi, 20. Troy Dargan, 21. Steven Marsters.