Parramatta chief executive Paul Osborne says Kris Keating has delayed contract negotiations with the club until he has a better idea of how he fits into the team.
That news emerged as the Eels confirmed winger Luke Burt had extended his deal. Burt, originally contracted until the end of this season and now tied until the end of 2012, said yesterday he was thrilled his future at Parramatta had been confirmed after it seemed only last year that he might be squeezed out.
The Eels have many players coming off contract this year, and Osborne is gradually re-signing those seen as priorities. Burt joins fullback Jarryd Hayne and five-eighth Daniel Mortimer, each of whom re-signed before the season began, while prop Fuifui Moimoi's re-signing will be confirmed soon. But salary-cap pressure is increasing.
Halfback or five-eighth Keating is another considered a priority, as is lock or five-eighth Feleti Mateo. Asked yesterday where things stood with those players, Osborne replied: ''Feleti we're talking to. Keating's manager wants to wait for a little while. Kris is a local kid. I think the Bulldogs are chasing him pretty hard, and I think they [Keating and his manager] want to see what his role is with us long term, whether he's in the starting side. Mateo wants to stay, and we want him to stay.''
The Bulldogs missed out in a big play for Mortimer, and have been linked with Keating and Mateo.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg said yesterday while the club regarded them as players of interest, it had decisions to make on the retention or otherwise of players before it could consider recruits.
''The retention situation should be a lot clearer in four to six weeks,'' he said. ''We haven't met with Kris or made him any offers, but he is one of the players on a list that our club is looking at. We see Kris as a talented footballer, and it's the same with Feleti.''
Keating is a part of the puzzle in the halves for the Eels that will be worked out as the season wears on. He was starting halfback at one stage last year, but his season ended early because of a broken jaw, and Parramatta went on to make the grand final with Jeff Robson at halfback and Mortimer five-eighth.
Eels coach Daniel Anderson stuck with the Robson-Mortimer pairing for the first game of this season, against St George Illawarra, with Keating on the bench. He has named the trio in the same positions for the game against Manly at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday. There is speculation Mortimer will end up at halfback and Keating at five-eighth, with Robson backing up the hooker and halves from the bench.
Included among other Parramatta players who finish their contracts this year are backs Eric Grothe and Krisnan Inu, and forwards Nathan Cayless and Brendan Oake.
Burt, who will play his 200th first-grade game on Sunday against Manly, said he hadn't ruled out playing beyond when his new deal runs out.
''I'm open-minded,'' he said. ''I'll only be 31 at the end of this contract, so if the body's feeling OK and the form's there, I'd love to squeeze another year or two in.
''It's always been my goal to stay at this club for good.''
