There’s no place I’d rather be than Gold Coast: Hayne

Parramatta Eels star Jarryd Hayne has confessed he misses being on the Gold Coast before the two teams clash this weekend.

Hayne, 30 years of age, is preparing to face his former club for the first time after leaving the Titans under controversial circumstances in 2017.

After publicly revealing coach Neil Henry would not have a conversion with his marquee signing before a game against the Dragons, it left the club between a rock and a hard place, ultimately firing Henry to keep their faith in Hayne.

Only a few months later, the former ex-NFL player announced he was leaving the club due to personal reasons, leaving the Titans red faced.

Hayne was granted a release upon compassionate grounds as signed with his original club Parramatta in order to be closer to his daughter who resided in Sydney.

The Eels star told News Corp he still has a soft spot for the Titans.

“There are great people up there. It’s always warm. I loved the warm weather. It would’ve been great to stay up there but it wasn’t to be,” Hayne said.

“They have great staff. Obviously with Hayden and Cat (Catterick) and the head coach they are great people.

“They understood my decision to come home. They are great people who understood that. It would’ve been great to be there with them. There is no other place I would rather be than up there with those guys.”

The Titans once considered building a team around Hayne as they hired support staff Craig Catterick and Hayden Knowles who previously worked with Hayne and believed they could coax Hayne back into his career-best form he enjoyed back in 2009.

Despite leaving the club, Hayne believes Catterick and Knowles will be beneficial for the club in the long run.

“I know what they are like. I know what they bring. Just speaking to the boys who have been there for a while, they love them up there," Hayne said.

“They are slowly building into a good force."

Hayne hasn't exactly had the best of returns to the Eels after being plagued by injuries, managing just 10 games this season in what has been a year to forget for the Eels.

Trying to avoid the title of wooden spooners, Parramatta are trialing different combinations having named Hayne on the wing for the Titans clash, but also given him a 'roaming' role.

Hayne states he is sees the vision coach Brad Arthur is trying to achieve.

“Roaming and chiming in there and swapping with Gutho at times,” Hayne said.

“I’m looking to create opportunities and try-scoring plays. Gutho has been playing there a bit longer. It’s why we are mixing it up in attack especially from set starts.”