The Bulldogs are hopeful Brisbane's Michael Ennis will make a decision on an offer by the end of this week as current hooker Corey Hughes is forced to face an uncertain NRL future for the second straight year.

Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg said on Thursday he was hopeful of adding in-form Ennis to a Bulldogs recruitment list which already includes Brett Kimmorley, Josh Morris and Ben Hannant.

"We've had some really good discussions and dialogue with Michael and George Mimis his manager and we're just waiting to hear back," Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg said.

"I don't know (that we're) confident, we're certainly hopeful."

But the Dogs' pursuit of Ennis has left 30-year-old Hughes' future up in the air again.

"We've spoken to Corey in a little bit of detail but not in any concrete stuff going forward," Greenberg said.

"What we do next year is still up for some discussion so we'll have that over the next month or so with Corey.

"We've told him we're being open and honest about the fact that we're talking to someone like Michael Ennis and if we're lucky enough to get him then we'll talk to Corey about what his future might be."

Hughes was belatedly thrown a one-year deal by the Bulldogs last year but not before his uncle, former Dogs second-rower and broadcaster Graeme Hughes, publicly criticised the club for its treatment of Corey.

Graeme Hughes, who has also managed his nephew, refused to comment on the situation, saying only: "He has some strong options."

Meanwhile, the Trent Barrett release saga continues to drag on as his manager Wayne Beavis continues to wait for a reply from Wigan.

Speculation mounted this week that South Sydney were now in the running for Barrett after missing out on Penrith utility Luke Lewis, but Beavis said he'd had no discussions with the Rabbitohs about the former Test five-eighth.

North Queensland re-signed back-rower Steve Southern and centre Ben Harris on Thursday.

Former Bulldog Harris, who joined the Cowboys from English club Bradford, has extended his contract until the end of 2011.

He's likely to be shifted from the centres into the back-row next year to accommodate the arrival of marquee recruit Willie Tonga.

Southern has re-signed for the next two years.

And exciting young Brisbane back Denan Kemp has signed with the New Zealand Warriors for the next two seasons.

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