James Segeyaro and Bronson Xerri prepare to fight for their futures

Former Cronulla and Brisbane hooker James Segeyaro could be given the opportunity to front an anti-doping tribunal within weeks.

James Segeyaro could face an anti-doping tribunal within weeks. Picture: AAP

Former Cronulla and Brisbane hooker James Segeyaro could be given the opportunity to front an anti-doping tribunal within weeks after the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency referred the matter back to the NRL for a final call on the 29-year-old’s future.

And Sharks centre Bronson Xerri is expected to be interviewed by ASADA on Friday, where he will be given the opportunity to mitigate any ban by providing assistance and potentially receive the results of his B sample.

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Segeyaro has been sidelined since October last year after testing positive to di-hydroxy LGD-4033, a substance banned by the NRL and the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA).

It is understood the matter has been finalised by ASADA, who informed both the NRL and Segeyaro last week that the issue was ready to be dealt with by an anti-doping tribunal.

Segeyaro is facing a four-year ban but his lawyer Tim Fuller told The Australian on Thursday that he remained hopeful that the ban would be reduced and the hearing could be heard within a short time frame.

“We think we have good grounds to have any sanction reduced based on a number of different factors,’’ Fuller said.

“The NRL anti-doping tribunal is not ASADA. ASADA takes as long as they like. I would expect the NRL anti-doping tribunal to be convened quickly.’’

The NRL’s anti-doping rules state that Segeyaro is entitled to a timely hearing before an anti-doping panel made up of a person qualified as a barrister or solicitor, a fully qualified medical practitioner, and a prominent citizen, including a former representative athlete who has succeeded in a career following retirement.

Segeyaro will argue any ban should be reduced because he has provided substantial assistance, he is able to establish how the contaminated substance entered his system, and similar cases around the world have resulted in reduced suspensions.

His playing future depends on it. At the age of 29, Segeyaro is long odds to return should he receive a full four-year ban. However, his hopes of a comeback will skyrocket if he and Fuller are able to convince an anti-doping tribunal to reduce his ban to two years or even potentially 12 months.

Xerri is fighting to save his career after returning a positive test to banned substances exogenous testosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone and 5b-androstane-3a, 17b-diol.

The NRL and the Sharks are still waiting on confirmation of Xerri’s B sample but that could arrive on Friday as the 19-year-old prepares to front ASADA officials for an interview.

Xerri will be entitled to a reduced ban should he provide evidence that results in ASADA being able to bring forward an anti-doping violation against another person.