Canberra captain Terry Campese says his side won't be bothered by the presence of sacked teammate Josh Dugan when they line up against the St George Illawarra star for the first time on Saturday.
An in-form Dugan lobbed a pre-match hand grenade at the Raiders camp on Monday when he was quoted saying the club had treated him unfairly when they "threw him on the scrap heap" in March.
Campese, who said he hadn't read the newspaper report, said the NSW Origin fullback's presence wouldn't bother his side when they took to the field at WIN Stadium this Saturday.
"Definitely not mate. We worry about ourselves and that's what we've been doing over the last couple of weeks and it's been working well," he said.
"There's 17 players on the field, not just one, so it's something we've got to not get caught up on.
"It gets you caught up in certain situations if you read too much press."
Campese also indicated there would be no bad blood on the field with Dugan.
"I'm friends with everyone mate," he said.
Dugan was sacked from the club after posting photos on social media of he and then teammate Blake Ferguson drinking alcohol on a rooftop having skipped a team recovery session.
The two were then dubbed `the booze brothers' when Ferguson was charged with indecent assault after the duo went out to celebrate being reunited for Origin II.
Ferguson has since pleaded not guilty to the charge and the NRL is expected to inform the Raiders camp on Monday whether or not they'll allow the suspended centre to return for the Dragons clash.
While Campese declined to comment on the prospect of Ferguson being reunited once again with his close friend Dugan, he said the Blues winger's return would provide a massive boost for the Raiders.
"He's a representative player and I thought his form this year has been outstanding," Campese said.
"If he gets an opportunity this week he's going to be excited and enthusiastic and that's always good for a side."
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