Newcastle has entered the fray for the services of Willie Mason, with the club's football committee making a recommendation that the Knights enter negotiations with the troubled forward.
Newcastle underwent a lengthy consultation with various stakeholders on Wednesday morning before deciding it would proceed with its plan to try and lure Mason to EnergyAustralia Stadium.
"We considered all feedback from club stakeholders," CEO Steve Burraston said. "We also contacted our 10 major sponsors and received their feedback."
"While there were a couple who were 50-50, the overall majority felt it was the right decision and believed we can provide the best environment for Willie to return home, rebuild his career and shake off the negative perceptions."
The club also ran a poll on its website to assess the fans' thoughts on Mason coming to the club.
"The emails sent to us were slightly in favour of Willie Mason coming here so we decided to run a poll on our website to give our members and supporters a say," Burraston said.
"The poll results were overwhelming with 83 percent in support of having Willie Mason at the club in 2010."
Knights strategic development manager Keith Onslow will spearhead negotiations with Mason, who is in the process of negotiating a release from his contract with the Roosters. He is unwanted at the club after a series of off-field incidents.
"Any contract that we draw up will have strict behavioural clauses included and we will have the availability to terminate if the need did arise," Burraston said.
"Having said that we are extremely buoyed by the feedback we have received from club stakeholders during the last week."
"Several of the sponsors we spoke to felt we had the right policies and culture in place to give Willie the best opportunity to resurrect his career."
"They felt this, combined with our community work, would give him the opportunity to reverse the negative perceptions that currently exist."
"They also believe we are well positioned to give Willie the best possible environment to excel as a player and as a person."
Mason has been linked with any number of NRL clubs in the off-season, including Melbourne, North Queensland, Cronulla and the Dragons.