John Sutton's camp seem fairly confident the former South Sydney Rabbitohs skipper will secure a new contract with the club sometime within the month.
Sutton, who is the only player to reach 300 games for the Rabbitohs, remains unsigned just a month out from the start of the 2019 NRL pre-season.
Both the club and Sutton have been keen for the second-rower to go around again for his 16th season with the club despite contract negotiations crawling along for months.
It has been rumoured the club could be under salary cap pressure and therefore would need to make space for the 33-year old to stay at the club.
Sutton’s manager Steve Gillis says they don't have a Plan B if contract talks fall through.
“We’re yet to strike a deal so we’re in a holding pattern at the moment,” Gillis said.
“He’s said he wants to play, the club has said they want him to play. But nothing’s been set in stone.
“We hope to have that resolved in the next month. They return to training in early November and I would think he wouldn’t train without a contract.”
Should Sutton not receive a contract extension, it could force him into retirement or into joining a rival NRL club.
Another option Sutton could explore is a move over to the English Super League in order to continue his playing career.
It seems those options however could be unlikely given all Sutton has done for the Redfern club and his newly found form under coach Anthony Seibold.
Sutton is the foundations club leading games record holder with 309 games, ahead of fellow South Sydney greats Nathan Merritt, Bob McCarthy, Craig Coleman and Eric Simms.
After making his debut for the club in 2004, Sutton remained loyal during the tough times and was rewarded by captaining the club to premiership glory in 2014.
Gillis says Sutton couldn't imagine pulling on a jersey for anyone else but South Sydney.
“He spoke passionately at their presentation night about how he bleeds red and green,” Gillis said.
“It’s just a matter of a few cards falling into place and we’ll try and get a deal done.”
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