Free agent McCullough has options as he eyes early injury return

Andrew McCullough has been in the Broncos system since he was 12, and is expected to remain in maroon and gold for the rest of his days despite being a free agent for the past six months.

McCullough re-signed with the Broncos for four years midway through 2017, but the final two seasons of his deal are options in his favour, making the one-club man technically able to negotiate with other clubs since last November.

The club has confirmed the nature of McCullough's deal and while remaining confident he would stay, underlined the fact that the representative No.9 has the right to explore his options outside of Red Hill.

McCullough is yet to take up the option of staying at Brisbane after brief discussions about his future with club management.

In a more imminent boost for the Broncos, McCullough is understood to be pushing to return from his MCL tear inside a month, shaving at least two weeks off the initial time frame.

Set for another Queensland Origin outing until going down at training last week, McCullough is a renowned quick healer and doesn't require surgery.

Brisbane have the bye in round 12 – which McCullough could have potentially had himself fit for – and a home derby against the Titans a week later, bringing the 29-year-old back into Maroons contention for the final two Origin matches.

With no other obvious hooking option outside of McCullough and his replacement Jake Turpin, Brisbane secured the services of livewire James Segeyaro before last Friday's win over Manly, which was announced on Monday.

Unable to get any NRL game time at Cronulla due to the club's salary cap penalty, Segeyaro's move north for the rest of 2019 was orchestrated in 48 hours.

Seibold has outlined a utility role for the 2014 Dally M hooker having named him as 18th man for this Friday's clash with the Roosters.

After spending the summer without an NRL contract, and then another two months with Newtown due to the Sharks' cap predicament, Segeyaro was measured on his chances of landing another deal beyond 2019.

"I can only hope," he said earlier this week.

"We have a good hooker there in Andrew McCullough and the young hooker [Jake Turpin] and I am sure if I am playing great footy the rest will take care of itself.

"I’ve always seen myself being back in Queensland and if I can be consistent hopefully I will play a lot of games for the Broncos."

Segeyaro revealed he and McCullough go back well into their junior days at opposite ends of the Sunshine State.

"I look forward to being mentored by Macca and seeing how I can fit in with the team and what I can bring," Segeyaro said.

"Growing up I played with North Queensland rep sides against Macca. He was always the number one and now I get the opportunity to train alongside him week-in and week-out, you pinch yourself."