The Wests Tigers may yet throw Jarryd Hayne a 2019 lifeline as the NRL star continues to sweat on his future at Parramatta.

Tigers chief executive officer Justin Pascoe has kept the door ajar for Hayne to join the joint venture next season, admitting they had the salary cap space to fit in the two-time Dally M Medallist.

Hayne, 30, told AAP that he was resigned to leaving the Eels after a frustrating wait to earn a contract extension.

Parramatta’s NRL squad returns to training on Thursday but at this stage Hayne won’t be there as he is still without a contract for next season.

Asked if the Tigers could fit Hayne in under their cap, Pascoe told Sky Sports Radio: “We’ve got cap space there.

“We have two positions still to fill, we have 28 on our roster as we speak.

“We haven’t had any discussions about Jarryd at this point but he’s a quality player.”

The Eels have stated they still hoped to retain Hayne, but it is believed it is unlikely Parramatta can fit him in under their cap.

Hayne overcame a slow season start to become one of the Eels’ best, busting 32 tackles and scoring six tries in the last six games of the year.