Caretaker Dragons coach Paul McGregor believes Steve Price is in the right frame of mind to deal with Cronulla's woes if he takes over at the Sharks for the rest of the season.

On holiday with his family on the Gold Coast, Price could be appointed in an interim role as early as next week, less than two months after he was sacked by St George Illawarra.

McGregor said he spoke to Price on Thursday and admitted his mate would be ready to handle a club having to cope with the ASADA investigation and the dumping of Todd Carney.

"It's something he's got to decide and I'm sure he'll put a lot of thought to that if he does get that offer," he said.

"He can coach so they can do a lot worse than employ him."

Price is the frontrunner for the Sharks' hot seat for the remaining nine games after Saturday's clash with premiers Roosters.

Peter Sharp left the club after criticism from captain Paul Gallen that he was not giving "100 per cent".

Sharp had been acting in the absence of Shane Flanagan, who is serving a year-long ban as ASADA's investigation into the club continues.

It is understood that Price would be in charge this year before he moves into an assistant role at the club when Flanagan returns.

McGregor said he was unsure if Price had agreed to any position at the club.

"I only know what I've been hearing, what me and Steve talk about is between me and Steve," McGregor said before Dragons training at WIN Stadium on Friday.

"I wish him all the best in whatever he does and he's still a good friend."

St George Illawarra take on North Queensland at Kogarah on Saturday- both teams are on 16 competition points, two behind the eighth-placed Warriors.

The Dragons have a bye next weekend, knowing a victory over the Cowboys would ease some pressure in the race for the playoffs.

"It's important for us to win, I don't really look too far ahead," McGregor said.

"It's important for us to put in our most energetic performance for the last month, we're coming off a small turnaround [after beating Melbourne on Monday night].

"What happens in four weeks [before] finals football, is four weeks away so we're nowhere near it. Two weeks ago they were talking about us getting the spoon so it shifts pretty quickly."

Dylan Farrell has returned to full fitness after spending 12 weeks on the sideline with a pectoral muscle injury.

However, Peter Mata'utia trained in the right centre position at WIN Stadium on Friday.

McGregor claimed he is yet to make a decision on who will start.

"He could have played a couple of weeks ago, it was 10-12 weeks and it's been 12 weeks," he said of Farrell.

"He's ready to go, he's pretty keen on getting out there, we'll see what pans out."

Mata'utia was named in jersey 14 while Farrell is 19, as the No 3 jumper was retired for the game in honour of recently deceased St George legend and Immortal Reg Gasnier.

McGregor will drop one player off a five-man bench, with prop Dan Hunt already ruled out of the game.

A McGregor said there will be extra emotion in the tribute to Gasnier.

"Absolutely, he's a legend of the game," he said.

"He was a special talent that doesn't come along very often.

"The way he moved across the field, looking at clips and talking to my father, he was one special person. I know the Gasnier family well."