De Belin has not played since the Dragons 2018 semi-final loss to the Rabbitohs having been stood down under the NRL's controversial no-fault stand-down policy after being charged with aggravated sexual assault.

His trial in relation to an alleged incident in a Wollongong apartment in December 2018 was set to go ahead in February only to be delayed by legal argument. He's set to return to court next month but, should his trial be delayed again, he's unlikely to take the field again this season.

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The 29-year-old continues to train with the club in anticipation of making a return to the field this season and remains the fittest forward at the club, with Lomax saying he'd be more than happy to see him rushed back into the side if cleared.

"I'm sure all the boys would feel the exact same, Bomber's pretty much your spine and he's your enforcer in the middle of the pack," Lomax said.

"I personally think he's the best defender in the competition, he's probably the best lock in the comp as well. The way that he still trains to this day is unbelievable and a credit to him.

"He still trains with us, he's always training, always ripping in in the gym, it's an absolute credit to him, I respect him so much as a bloke, and how hard he does train.

"He's a freak I guess, his aerobic fitness is still unbelievable, it's only got better throughout the preseason. He's a freak footballer and I can't wait to see when he's back what his game will be."

De Belin's legal issues were a major distraction for the Dragons last season, a forgettable campaign that saw the club finish 15^th. It was the lowest finish in the joint-venture's history - with staff and players admitting the wheels feel off when his legal challenge of the no-fault policy failed in the NSW Federal Court in April.

The club had hoped to see the issue resolved one way or another prior to the start of the season but it hasn't been the case, with legal argument set to continue in Wollongong Court next month.

It puts de Belin at long odds to return this year, the final year of his contract with the club, with is career possibly over should he spend two full seasons out of the game.

It appears unlikely, but Lomax says the playing group remains hopeful of seeing him back on the park at some stage in 2020.

"If we do end up getting him back, it's going to be a massive bonus for us," Lomax said.

"He's a major factor to the team, especially when he's on, he's someone you don't want to run at. I'd say anyone would lose a little bit if you've got a player like him out. Just going on what he does bring to a footy team, he does bring so much to a footy team.

"He's an enforcer, he has the best tackle technique, he's someone you're not going to run at. He's a freak of a player and he's an unbelievable bloke too. He's one of the best blokes I've met, he's an unreal teammate."