THE Greg Bird saga is nowhere near over, with the troubled Sharks star surfacing to admit he won't return from the US until next month.
The Sunday Telegraph learned the 24-year-old was en route to Los Angeles yesterday as Bird's team-mates revealed he had explored the prospect of linking with the Roosters.
Bird's back-up plan is the first sign in almost three months that he is resigned to walking away from the Sharks.
"It's a talking point for sure among the boys. He's told a few of us he's had more than just standard interest from the Roosters,'' one senior Cronulla player said.
"He's adamant about it, that he can get a big offer from them.''
Another team-mate added: "Of course, his first priority is to stay at the Sharks, but he reckons he's got no worries he'll get a club.''
Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan played down the prospect of Bird moving to Bondi, without fully closing the door.
"Maybe with a clean bill of health, but at the moment there's no chance,'' Sullivan said.
"He can't even play with anybody at the moment. Hopefully two years down the track we've developed our own superstar.''
Bird left for New York last Saturday and is believed to be on his way to Los Angeles.
"He said he was enjoying a holiday ... catching up with a few of his league mates who are also over there,'' one Cronulla player said.
"He said he'd be back early November.''
It's unclear if Bird has come into contact with girlfriend Katie Milligan, which could be a breach of the Apprehended Violence Order against him.
Bird is facing a possible de-registration from the NRL following a string of off-field incidents, culminating in the alleged glassing of his girlfriend, Katie Milligan.
He is due to re-appear in court on November 20, with NRL chief executive David Gallop claiming any decision would not be determined until after the hearing.
"We're monitoring the situation closely,'' Gallop said.
Another option in relation to Bird has emerged with English Super League club Hull, where former Cronulla team-mate Adam Dykes has been released after just 12 appearances.
However, Bird bears no interest in playing overseas.
Man of the match in his Test debut for Australia in October last year, Bird fears any time spent overseas and out of the spotlight will cost him future representative honours.
"Over the past couple of years I've become a NSW and Australian rep so this is where I see my future,'' Bird told The Sunday Telegraph three weeks ago.
"I've got no aspirations to be going anywhere to be honest. I've got to wait and see how everything goes, but I want to stay in the NRL.''
