Interim Canberra head coach Andrew Dunemann admits he’s still keen on the vacant role at North Queensland next NRL season as well as the fulltime role at the Raiders.

Dunemann has three matches left to get the ninth-placed Raiders into the eight for the NRL finals after replacing his former boss David Furner who was sacked on Tuesday.

He saw it as a great opportunity to make his case for a head coaching role at either the Raiders, or the Cowboys, where he’s one of several candidates to replace the axed Neil Henry.

“I want to be an NRL head coach, I’ve never hidden the fact,” Dunemann said on Thursday.

“By ruling yourself out of one, I think that would be dumb. Whatever one came up, I’d jump at it.”

Dunemann has wasted no time putting his stamp on the job, tweaking the Raiders team ahead of Sunday’s must-win home match against high-flying Manly.

He’s brought young gun Anthony Milford up to a playmaking role from fullback, and slipped ex-Warriors winger Bill Tupou into the centres.

“I just think Anthony is a player that you need with the ball in his hands a bit more,” Dunemann said.

“I think defensively he’s strong for us as well.”

Dunemann is hopeful the close relationship he developed with Milford in the Raiders under-20s side may prevent one of the NRL’s brightest young talents from leaving for Brisbane to be closer to family next year.

“I’ve had a lot to do with Anthony and we’ve developed a very good relationship,” Dunemann said.

“But at the end of the day, family is first and whether he can get past that, I’m not sure he can.”

He added he was confident his team would overcome what has been a tumultuous week to remain in finals contention.

“We’ve got the players there to win there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“If we get our attitude right, we’ll be right.

“Come Sunday, you’ll see a team that is wanting to go in there and rip in.”

Dunemann said controversial Blake Ferguson won’t be fit for Sunday’s clash, while captain Terry Campese remains in doubt and will see a specialist for his eye injury on Friday.

Dunemann said his friendship with Furner would remain strong.

“I’ve spoken to Furnesy and all I’ll say is that our friendship will remain,” Dunneman said.

“It’s been a long friendship and I value that friendship and I know I did everything I could while I was his assistant.”