Australian playmaker Todd Carney's bid to continue his rugby league career with Salford will depend on a successful UK visa hearing on Tuesday.
The English Super League club expects the former NRL star to arrive this week should he be granted a visa after meeting with UK Home Office representatives in Australia.
Carney, 30, returned to Sydney after being released by Catalans from the last two years of his contract in October.
He has maintained fitness while training to fight fellow former NRL player Chris Sandow in a charity boxing match last month.
Red Devils coach Ian Watson said Carney should be near full-fitness when he arrives at the club.
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"There's a hearing scheduled for Tuesday and Todd's been doing some work that we've given him to do so that he won't be too far behind when he comes," Salford coach Ian Watson told the UK Sun.
"Hopefully he'll be here towards the end of the week and he won't be too far off getting up to speed."
The Red Devils are confident of being able to secure a UK visa for Carney despite him being refused a visa when Huddersfield tried to sign him eight years ago because of a criminal record.
Carney has been sacked by three NRL clubs - Canberra, Sydney Roosters and Cronulla.
He is currently involved in legal action to win compensation for his most recent dismissal by the Sharks.
