The saga that has become Trent Barrett's proposed return to the NRL moved a step closer to being resolved with his English Super League club Wigan securing the services of Bulldogs utility Cameron Phelps.

Phelps will fly out to link up with the Super League powerhouse immediately after making his farewell appearance for the Bulldogs in Monday night's clash against Cronulla, and it is believed his recruitment could lead to Barrett finally being granted a long-awaited release from the final year of his contract.

Wigan boss Ian Lenagan had stalled on officially releasing Barrett despite indicating weeks ago that he wouldn't stand in the way of the homesick playmaker.

He is favoured to link up with Cronulla on his return in 2009 though Canberra also remain in the hunt to snare the 30-year-old.

Barrett's manager Wayne Beavis said he had yet to hear anything from Wigan.

"I'll be sending an email tonight," Beavis said.

"I've been hoping to have this sorted out for a while now, unfortunately they're the ones driving the bus."

It is believed Wigan delayed making a move on Barrett until they had secured a suitable replacement for the former St George Illawarra star, Phelps now likely to be thrown into the five-eighth position next season.

Phelps has been in negotiations with Wigan for some time now, but an injury crisis in the outside backs at the Bulldogs meant the club wasn't too keen to let him go before Thursday's signing of Wests Tigers winger Nick Youngquest.

"Cameron has requested an opportunity to further his career overseas, which we were more than happy to assist with given the right circumstances," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

"When Nick Youngquest became available, we felt this was a suitable replacement to our playing roster and we were more than happy to grant the release on those grounds."

In other signing news, Beavis said he was hopeful of having the future of impressive Tigers backrower Chris Heighington sorted out by the end of next week.

The Country Origin representative is in hot demand with the Dragons just one club showing a lot of interest in adding the 26-year-old to their pack.

Heighington, though, is favoured to remain at the Tigers where club officials are hoping he will form a devastating second row combination with incoming Great Britain Test representative Gareth Ellis in 2009.

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