The 28-year-old has been training with the Raiders squad since November in the hope of securing a place among the club’s top 25.

But after dodging a cocaine conviction and having a history of rolling out patchy NRL form, Taylor’s hopes of returning to the top flight are far from assured.

At his best, the former Broncos, Rabbitohs and Titans forward was considered one of the most damaging players in the game with caps for Australia and Queensland.

But his attitude has been questioned at times.

He has shed nine kilos in his six weeks at the nation's capital and has not missed a training session.  

“Ultimately, he has to completely win over Ricky Stuart and the coaching staff,” one source told Fox Sports.

“But to do that, he is going to have to win over the playing group first.

“The players will tell Sticky (Stuart) if they want him. And that means he has to convince them he is prepared to fit into the strong culture that’s been created here.

“There is a lot more to it than just putting in at training, eating right and shedding the kilos.

“In the end, it will boil down to how badly Dave Taylor wants it.”