Wests Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys remains confident star recruit Lote Tuqiri will be granted an early release from English club Leicester in the coming days.
The dual international, who signed a three-year deal with the Tigers last month, is contracted to the English rugby powerhouse until the end of March meaning he could miss the opening four matches of the NRL campaign if denied an early release.
"Lote as we've said will be here by the end of March and we're in discussion with Leicester about the possibility of bringing that forward," Humphreys told Sportal.
"I'm hopeful, but it's not yet confirmed."
"They're a very professional club but they have some processes to go through and I'm respectful of that, but hopefully we'll have something in place that sees Lote here a little earlier than we would have thought which would be a nice bonus."
While Leicester holds all the cards, a cautious Humphreys confirmed the best-case scenario for the joint-venture club would see Tuqiri back in Australia almost a full week before the season opener against Manly on March 15.
Leicester, also known at the Tigers, are scheduled to play matches on March 6 and March 27, meaning the 30-year-old would only miss one English Premiership fixture if granted a release following the penultimate match of his contract.
"If it happens he would be here five or six days before the first game," Humphreys said.
"The fact that we play on a Monday night in Round 1 is kind of helpful in this regard."
Asked if Tuqiri is keen to return early, Humphrey's replied: "To be fair to Lote he's also respectful of his commitment to Leicester so he's just left it in our hands, but if it comes to be that he can be here earlier he'll be pleased with that."