Parramatta officials believe errant centre Jamie Lyon is fit enough to resume playing almost immediately - but unless he agrees to do so the former Kangaroo may be forced to sit on the sidelines until 2007.
Lyon, who stunned rugby league by announcing after the first NRL round that he was quitting the game, met Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, coach Brian Smith and other club officials for two hours yesterday in a bid to resolve his future.
But the Eels refused his request for a release to play for his junior club, Wee Waa Panthers, and later announced that they had also suspended his pay.
Fitzgerald said last night that Lyon had been asked to consider returning to the club and an answer was expected next week.
"He's a contracted player to Parramatta for this season - and the next two seasons for that matter - and we have said to him for this season at least he will be playing for us or for no one," Fitzgerald said.
"We laid it on the line and said that there's no way we will give him a release this season to go to any club, and that includes the Wee Waa Panthers."
The Eels had continued to pay Lyon monthly instalments of his $250,000-a-season contract, but Fitzgerald said these had now been suspended until "such time as he provides services for us".
However, Parramatta are desperate to get Lyon back and arranged for him to meet a group of senior players, including captain Nathan Cayless, halfback Adam Dykes and international forwards Nathan Hindmarsh and Michael Vella.
Fitzgerald said 22-year-old Lyon was fit and close to his playing weight of 96 kilograms.
"He looked good," Fitzgerald said. "I don't think we'd have to wait too long before he'd be able to resume playing.
"We've just given him a bit more time to consider what we put to him today. There is a lot for him to think about.
"We met for about two hours today and he met with some of the other players for another half an hour and no doubt his family will want to talk to him.
"I'm not any more or less optimistic, so we'll just have to wait and see what he decides to do."
