Dugan proved a revelation at club and Origin level in 2014 after making the switch to centre and forming a potent combination with Benji Marshall on the Dragons' right edge.

Dugan said in November he'd only "scratched the surface" at centre and expected time in both positions during preseason.

However Morris's departure leaves the Dragons deficient in experience and size in the back three and will likely see Dugan return to the position in which he made his name.

"We've got a couple of options at fullback and obviously Josh is certainly one of them. He's doing a fair bit of work out there the moment at [number] one," McGregor said.

"For me it was important that I played Josh where the team needed Josh and we needed him on the right edge [last season] because defensively he's outstanding.

"He had a combination with Benji that was quite strong towards the end of the year so that was the best fit for the football team.

"Last year it was a different back three. With Morris and Nightingale bringing the ball back you didn't really need a big [fullback] bringing it back because you had two Test wingers out of the three; Brett will be missed bringing the ball back and Josh is certainly a good replacement for that."

There are a host of candidates lining up for the vacant left-wing position next year but McGregor admitted - while allowing Morris to leave made practical and financial sense - there's no replacing the world's best winger.

"You don't replace Brett Morris; you put someone else in his number and he does the best he can for the group and for himself," McGregor said.

"I don't want a player playing under me in that situation where he'd been a good servant to the club and wanted to go."

Despite speculation to contrary McGregor said the club would be doing everything to prevent Nightingale following his long time wing partner out the door.

"We're doing everything we possibly can to keep Jason Nightingale at the club," he said.

"Pete's [Mulholland] working hard at that at the moment, we want him to stay."