Jason Nightingale believes Jamie Soward will be targeted verbally by some of his former St George Illawarra teammates on Saturday.
The Penrith five-eighth was a key member of the Dragons 2010 grand-final winning side but exited the club in acrimonious circumstances midway through last season after falling out with then coach Steve Price.
Under Wayne Bennett, Soward was consistent performer for the Red-V, a NSW representative and one of the team's best players.
However, he and Price never saw eye to eye and their relationship disintegrated completely when the coach dumped him to reserve grade to play in a curtain-raiser before a NRL clash with Newcastle.
After obtaining a release, Soward spent a brief stint in Super League with London Broncos after agreeing a move to the Panthers on a four-year deal from the start of 2014.
The manner of Soward's departure upset many Dragons fans and by the time he left the club some of his teammates were believed to be happy to see the back of him.
However, Nightingale said he holds no hard feelings towards Soward and pleased to see him doing so well at surprise table-toppers Penrith.
"He's been great, I think some people may have had some doubts about how well he'd go, but I knew a change is what Jamie needed," Nightingale said.
"As soon as he got that I knew he'd excel and I think he's fitted into their structure very well there.
"I am sure there will be some of our blokes trying to get under his skin and I am sure he will try and do the same back.
"If we let him do his thing then I am sure he will play well so we have to try and put him off his game."
With the game being played at Penrith, Soward is likely to cop less of a barrage of abuse from the Dragons fans but Nightingale said it's important not to forget the positive contribution he made during his six-year stint.
"I think he probably doesn't get enough credit," Nightingale said.
"He was a great player for us and a real part of the winning culture we created on the way to the premiership.
"I think most fans realise that, and I certainly think that shouldn't be taken away from him."
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