Dugan underwent scans on Monday after hobbling from from the field midway through the second half of the Dragons victory over Wests Tigers on Sunday. 

The scans confirmed a grade 1.5 hamstring strain that is likely to keep him out of action until at least the Dragons Anzac Day clash with the Roosters in round eight.

Mann turned in his first 80-minute performance of the season against the Tigers, filling in at right centre for the injured Euan Aitken before shifting to fullback when Dugan left the field in the 58th minute.

He remains the front-runner to fill the void at No. 1, though young guns Jai Field – who club recruitment chief Ian Millward has tipped a s future long-term fullback – and Matt Dufty will no doubt come into consideration.

Should Mann get the nod it would a be a second coming of sorts with the club having recruited him from Melbourne last season to play in the No. 1 and allow Dugan to switch to the centres – an experiment that was aborted after just two games.

Dugan is off-contract this season and remains publicly at odds with Millward over his positional future at the club, meaning his stint on the sidelines could ultimately see Mann, also off-contract this season, auditioning for the role long-term.

Having admittedly let his first opportunity at the back slip last season, Mann said he’s determined to make it count this time around. 

“I had a bit of a shot there last year and it didn’t really work out for me. I wasn’t in great form at the start of the year and I lost my chance there,” Mann said.

“Hopefully I can fill [Dugan’s] shoes there for a while until he’s back. I grew up playing at fullback and in the halves so that’s where I like playing. 

"I played the first trial this year and played 80 minutes at fullback, so I’ve spent some time there.

“I did the full preseason last year at fullback as well so I know what I’ve got to when I’m playing there.

“It is a good opportunity to show them what I’m capable of when I’m wearing the No. 1 but Duges is a quality player.

“He’s an Origin fullback, so I’ll do my best while he’s out and just see what happens after that.”

Admittedly “chomping at the bit” after seeing little on-field over the opening five rounds, Mann earned high praise from McGregor for his effort against the Tigers, something that wasn’t lost on the 24-year-old.

“Mary knows it’s been pretty hard for me the last couple weeks, especially after the season I had last year,” Mann said.

“He knows hoaw hard it’s and he’s been trying to get me some minutes, he just hasn’t been able to, but he’s always spoken to me about just staying ready for when that opportunity comes.

“I’ve been getting minimal minutes lately, just playing a role off the bench and covering for a few boys but with Euan being injured it was good to get an opportunity to get a few minutes and show what I’m capable of.

“I did a whole preseason, 15 weeks of training, so I’ve been chomping at the bit to get out there and play a bit of footy and was good to go out there and have a crack.”