PARRAMATTA coach Steve Kearney could not guarantee Timana Tahu's future at the Eels yesterday after admitting his star player was battling "complex issues". Kearney was also unable to set a timeframe for Tahu's return to training amid speculation the NSW State of Origin centre and Parramatta may soon split.
The Daily Telegraph yesterday revealed Tahu had asked for at least a week's leave from training, a request Kearney granted.
Eels chief executive Paul Osborne denied Tahu had gone AWOL, although some Parramatta players are unaware where Tahu has been for the past week.
He was not at training yesterday - and may not return soon.
"We are working through a few things with him," Kearney said. "He's contracted to the club but has a fair bit on his plate.
"We need to sit down and talk with him. We have to look after his welfare.
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"We're concerned and want to make sure he is in good health and looks after himself.
"We will do what we have to do. Hopefully we can resolve T's issues. The issues are pretty complex."
Asked would Tahu definitely return to training, Kearney said: "We haven't gone that far. I'm not going to comment on that."
Asked when Tahu might be back training, Kearney said: "I don't have a timeframe."
Tahu missed Monday's training session after his car broke down. He has not been seen at Eels training since.
Asked if Tahu was a lost soul, Kearney said: "I don't think so."
Kearney refused to elaborate on Tahu's "issues", but Tahu is spending time with his family.
Eels veteran Nathan Hindmarsh said yesterday: "From what we've heard he has a few things he needs to sort out.
"He was back last week [at training] but some things have come up. He's got to sort those out before he gets back to training again.
"We're hopeful he will be back. We haven't heard any different. He has missed a few days this week to sort some stuff out but he trained hard last week.
"It's hard to get hold of Timana at the best of times but we haven't spoken."
Asked what Kearney's message was for next season, Hindmarsh said: "If you want to be here, fine, but if you want to hang around you can piss off now, pretty much.
"It's about working hard for these eight weeks leading into Christmas. If you're not up to it, you might as well go now."
Tahu had a controversial season and continues to battle personal demons. He was involved in two ugly racial vilification dramas: one concerning Andrew Johns and the other a 16-year-old at an Aboriginal league carnival in Woy Woy.
Kearney did not know if Tahu had signed a new one-year deal with Parramatta.
