North Queensland coach Paul Green has confirmed the Cowboys are investigating whether they can sign former NRL bad boy Todd Carney for the 2018 NRL season.

Green said he flatly refused Carney when he first approached him late last year but wanted to give the playmaker another chance after indicating he had “realised what he had lost” since signing with their feeder club Northern Pride.

The 31-year-old Carney’s future is in the hands of the NRL integrity unit, which has the final say on whether the former Canberra, Sydney Roosters and Cronulla star’s contract will be registered.