Catalan Dragons have distanced themselves from a move for controversial Australian five-eighth Todd Carney.

Dragons coach Laurent Frayssinous hinted his club could throw a career lifeline to the 28-year-old former international player of the year after he was suspended by his NRL club Cronulla following the circulation of a lewd photograph on social media.

But Frayssinous insists the move never got off the ground.

“I didn’t say we were going to contact Todd Carney,” Frayssinous said.

“I said every coach in Super League would be interested to have such a quality player in their squad.”

Carney, who has also previously been sacked by Canberra and Sydney Roosters for disciplinary issues, has sought leave to appeal the decision of the Sharks to terminate his five-year contract with immediate effect and is expected to hold mediation talks with the club.

Effectively banned from the NRL, Carney’s options appear to lie either with a switch of codes or a move to Super League.

He actually signed for Huddersfield in 2008 only for the deal to fall through when he was denied a visa but the Catalans are not affected by the same restrictions.

In 2009 they signed another controversial Australian, Greg Bird, after his proposed transfer to Bradford collapsed and Frayssinous has not completely ruled out a move for Carney.

“We’ll have a break after Warrington (on Friday) and have a think about it,” he added.

“At the moment we’re just thinking about finishing in the top eight.

“When the time is right, we’ll see where Todd Carney is – whether he’s still in Australia or if he’s playing union or whatever – and if we have a spot in the squad for him, but at the moment there is nothing more to say.”