Canberra have taken a punt on journeyman forward Dave Taylor, allowing the former Queensland representative to train with the NRL club.

Taylor will take part in the Raiders’ pre-season program, with the opportunity to play in two trial games.

If all goes well, a deal for the 2017 NRL season could be on the table.

“It’s up to David to show if he wants it bad enough,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said in a statement.

But the one-Test player’s bid for a return to play in Australia could face opposition from the NRL after he last month pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.

He is due to be sentenced in November.

Taylor last played in the NRL with the Gold Coast, leaving in 2015 to play in the English Super League with Catalans Dragons.