Parramatta playmaker Feleti Mateo is steeling himself for the harsh reality he may be forced out of the NRL club at the end of 2010 due to salary cap pressures.
Mateo, 25, was a key member of Daniel Anderson's 17-man squad that stormed into the NRL grand final in 2009.
While he is determined to make 2010 a personal breakthrough season, he says he also knows the clock may be ticking on his time at the club.
With young gun Daniel Mortimer, classy centre Krisnan Inu and club veteran Luke Burt, among others, off contract at the end of this season, the Eels know they have some tough decisions ahead of them.
But Mateo believes he could be the one to change colours if Parramatta is forced to shed some cash in order to remain under the cap.
"I'm a local boy and want to stay here at Parramatta. But I also know there's a lot of talent and salary-cap issues. Whether they can fit me in is another thing," Mateo said.
"I want to stay, but I also understand if they can't keep me."
Eels supremo Paul Osborne said he had told Mateo he was wanted beyond this season.
"Feleti's a Parramatta junior, a Parramatta supporter and his family are big fans of the club, so we're determined to keep him," Osborne said.
"But we know there is interest from other clubs."
The Bulldogs and Warriors have both been linked to Mateo - one of the NRL's most exciting players at his best - but he said he was only focused on "going one better with Parra" this season and winning an overdue NRL title.
