Ben Barba could be back in a Cronulla jersey as early as round 10 if he signs prior to the official pre-season period.

News Corp is reporting that the Sharks are prepared to offer the fullback a $300,000 deal for the 2017 season.

The premiership-winning custodian was on a reported $650,000 at the Sharks.

Meanwhile Barba’s former teammate at Sharks and captain at Canterbury Michael Ennis has backed him to return to the NRL.

“I definitely think that he can [return],” he told Fox Sports.

“Guys make mistakes and we’ve seen so often in our game where guys can take some time away from the game and get the required help that they need, can definitely come back and continue on and have a great career.

“We’ve seen that with Mitchell Pearce this year and the steps that he took early on and to see how he came back was tremendous and I think that’ll certainly be something that a guy like Ben can draw from.

“When and where I think’s irrelevant at the moment because I think there’s a bigger focus.”