Dugan hasn’t played since being floored by a Greg Inglis shoulder charge in Origin III a month ago but has made an ahead of schedule return in time for Saturday’s clash.

With the elbow injury that ruled him out of the first two Origin matches, Dugan has played just two games for the Dragons since round 11. 

It leaves him with four games to press his claims to retain his Australian Test jersey but Dugan said he’s not willing to rule out finals action just yet.

“It’s good to be back, I’ve trained really hard over the past couple of weeks and I’m back early, I’m back ahead of schedule and that was always the plan,” Dugan said.

“I knew that I heal better than most and I was always aiming to be back for this game. I had four days off after surgery and then I was straight back in doing cardio and some weights.

“The swelling didn’t really go down for about two weeks and then after that I was back running and doing some pretty solid sessions with some of the other boys.

“I don’t think I’ve lost too much. I’ve been out for three weeks and before that it was my elbow but they were two things pretty much out of my control. I’ve been training really hard so I don’t think I’ve lost too much but it might take me a couple of weeks to get that match fitness back.

“I’m fully focused on playing my best footy for the club and hopefully trying to help the boys and give them a little bit of excitement again and rip into these last four weeks. 

“We’re nearly out of the finals, we’re a pretty slim chance, but we’re going to take it week by week and do everything we can to give ourselves the best opportunity.”

The return of Dugan and fellow NSW rep Tyson Frizell and recently re-signed back-rower Joel Thompson is a welcome one for coach Paul McGregor in a week in which a supposed video room blow up with off-contract half Benji Marshall has dominated the headlines. 

The representative trio have manged precious few games together this season due to injuries and suspension and McGregor said it was a huge boost for what’s sure to be a physical game. 

“It’s been on of our issues throughout the year where we’ve had a lot of key personnel with experience not available and that’s hurt,” McGregor said.

“Getting three key people like that back in your footy team, your two edge players and your main strike weapon back at the back, it’s really important especially in big occasion playing at home.”