Barba will reportedly work as a builder's labourer in the coming months in an effort to gain some perspective after being banished from the game following a second positive test to cocaine.

He returned this week from a four-week stint at a health facility in Thailand and will serve a 12-month mandatory ban.

"The door's open for him but he's got to want to come back to football, first of all," Sharks boss Lyall Gorman told Sky Sports on Thursday.

"More importantly, he's got to be settled in his own life."

Barba's agent Gavin Orr said the fullback’s willing ness to get a real job was a sign he was heading in the right direction.

"A lot of rugby league players turn to the drink or get on the punt because they have so much free time, so this (construction job) will be good for Ben," Orr told News Corp Australia.

"To Ben's credit, he wants to stay active and this will be an important part of his recovery.''