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Josh Dugan has hit back at suggestions he is faking a knee injury to get out of the final year of his contract with Cronulla.
Cronulla fullback Josh Dugan has hit back at suggestions he is faking problems with his knee.
Dugan says he intends to honour his contract with the NRL club and he is tired of the media speculation surrounding his future.
Knee issues have cast doubt over Dugan's playing future but reports claim the Sharks' physios cannot find any issues with the 29-year-old - something he denies.
The NSW and Test representative is one of the highest paid players at the Sharks and he is contracted for another two years on a deal reportedly worth $975,000 a season.
It has also been claimed the former Canberra and St George Illawarra star is trying to secure an insurance payout that will allow him to walk away from the NRL.
"My focus is getting a solution and a game plan to get back playing as soon as possible. That is my priority," Dugan posted on Twitter.
"I love the playing group and I want nothing more than to pull that jersey on alongside them. I'm sick of seeing the crap being written for the most part.
"Everyone is preparing for the trials and round one.
"I'm training every day and every day trying to get right to get back on the field.
"People pick and choose when they care about mental health also, imagine if I was not as strong-minded or (as) used to adversity, the s**t I've copped over the last two weeks, unwarranted.
"I have a contract and I plan on honouring it and working my ass off. I will not be making further comment, time to worry about the boys killing the nines this week."
In a newspaper interview, Dugan also claimed his MRIs show chronic arthritis and inflammation of the bone and joint in his knee.
"All I'm saying is if I've been cleared to train, why am I seeing two different surgeons next week?" Dugan told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The fullback has been told he can leave the Sharks for another club but insists there is little he can do until he has been given the all clear by surgeons.
"There's been little communication since I was told I could look elsewhere and I've gone off the advice of the physio and doctor, so I'll keep doing that," Dugan said.
"I'd like clarity around it too. It's frustrating me more than anyone and hopefully I get that next week ... that's all I have to say about the issue."
