Josh Addo-Carr to front NRL Integrity Unit as Bulldogs star fights to save career

Bulldogs superstar Josh Addo-Carr has been summoned to front the NRL integrity unit as he fights to save his career following a positive cocaine test.

Bulldogs superstar Josh Addo-Carr has been summoned to front the NRL integrity unit as he fights to save his career.

Addo-Carr missed the Bulldogs’ loss to Manly on Sunday afternoon after initially failing a roadside test for cocaine, and then an oral sample that was taken at the scene.

It is understood the former NSW and Australian winger has protested his innocence and he will now have the opportunity to explain himself to the NRL after he was contacted by the integrity unit.

Addo-Carr has another year remaining on his contract with the ‘Dogs but is under pressure to see out the deal given events of the past week.

The 29-year-old scored 11 tries in 14 appearances for the Bulldogs this season before opting to stand himself down to ease the pressure on his teammates heading into Sunday afternoon’s game.

Josh Addo-Carr’s career is in the balance. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Coach Cameron Ciraldo insisted at the weekend that the Addo-Carr saga hadn’t impacted his side’s performance after they were eliminated by the Sea Eagles.

“It’s hard to say whether it has had an impact or not,” Ciraldo said.

“What I will say is I thought we handled it great. I thought having a leader like Gus (Gould) was awesome for myself and the playing group.

“You are always looking at the playing group and thinking ‘how has it affected them?’. They came to me and said ‘this is not a distraction for us, we are right to go’.

“I think it showed out there tonight how well they prepared all week, it’s a credit to these players and our leaders they were able to shift any focus on that on to trying to get the job done tonight.”

Originally published as Josh Addo-Carr to front NRL Integrity Unit as Bulldogs star fights to save career