Rabbitohs make a move for St Helens favourite Lewis Dodd

Ilias is a right-sided player and Dodd a left-footer who prefers to play on the left.

Ellison is also expected to be on the lookout for a front-rower and winger. The depth in the outside backs has already been fully stretched this season, with Taane Milne’s two-match ban meaning he joins Alex Johnston (hamstring) and Tyrone Munro (collarbone) on the sidelines.

Despite having one eye on the future with Dodd, Souths’ immediate focus is preparing to face premiers Penrith on Thursday night with pressure continuing to mount on coach Jason Demetriou.

Demetriou’s side is 1-6 to start the year, including a 54-20 drubbing against Melbourne on Anzac Day. They have won just five of their past 20 matches.

Souths chief executive Blake Solly would not comment on Dodd or Demetriou when contacted on Saturday, but confirmed the club’s poor start to the season would be discussed when the Rabbitohs board meets on Tuesday.

“There is nothing extraordinary or irregular about Tuesday,” Solly said.

“Like any board meeting, the performance of the NRL team will be reviewed, along with all other aspects of our business.

“We are 17th on the table. Clearly, that is not good enough for the club.

“Everyone involved is fully invested in turning the performances around, and getting wins on the board as soon as we can.”

Demetriou, who took over from Wayne Bennett at the start of the 2022 season – the same year he took the club to a preliminary final – knows winning games is the only way to save his job.

One issue is a lack of suitable candidates to step into the interim role. Ben Hornby is still learning his craft and Dave Furner is not even a week into his role of tidying up the defence of the forwards.

NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.