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BULLDOGS fullback Ben Barba is set to cap the most turbulent week of his life by running out against his future employer, the Broncos, at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
Barba is keen to play and is ready to confront more than 30,000 Brisbane fans _ just 72 hours after the NRL's integrity unit launched a probe into claims he assaulted the mother of his children.
Canterbury coach Des Hasler today refused to confirm Barba would take on his future club, saying he has yet to pass a fitness test on the ankle he injured against Parramatta last month.
Barba has not been named in the Bulldogs' 17-man squad, but Canterbury sources claim only a game-day setback will prevent him waging a fullback duel with Josh Hoffman.
Bulldogs players expect the Queensland Origin hopeful to play after he trained at fullback in recent days.
Josh Morris, originally named in the No.1 jumper, is expected to return to centre, with Krisnan Inu likely to make way to accommodate Barba.
Barba arrived with the team at Sydney airport and ambitiously attempted to avoid detection as Hasler spoke to the media.
Barba's appearance at Suncorp would be his first public outing since explosive reports that Canterbury hierarchy covered-up an alleged incident involving his ex-partner Ainslie Currie.
His ankle injury aside, many will question whether Barba is mentally fit to face the Broncos after the firestorm that pushed him to "breaking point" when assault allegations surfaced last Sunday.
"He hasn't been named, but we'll continue treatment with him," Hasler said today.
"He hasn't passed a fitness test."
Asked about the NRL's probe into the Barba affair, Hasler said: "I'm very comfortable with the procedure that the club has taken.
"Obviously the alleged photo (of Currie's bloodied lip) is disturbing but at the same stage the club never has received any complaint or any plaintiff in relation to that allegation."
Former Broncos Test centre Tony Currie said Brisbane had a duty of care to Barba in the wake of his signing and has offered to personally mentor the troubled recruit.
"I want to help give Ben advice if he is willing to take it," he said.
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"I will get in touch with Paul White on behalf of the Arthur Beetson Foundation and I would like to spend time together talking.
"It is pretty important we help Ben, I'm here if he needs me.
"The allegations are pretty serious, but the Broncos must stick by him.
"It looks like between the two clubs (Brisbane and the Bulldogs) they have worked out something beneficial for Ben and he needs to surround himself with some good people.
"Hopefully I am one of those and I'll be there on the phone for him anytime.
"I live near the Broncos club, I'm a local boy and I understand the issues Indigenous guys face.
"It is probably the last-chance saloon for him and as a game we need to help young men with issues like Ben."
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