Breakout back-rower Ryan Matterson has been granted immediate leave from Wests Tigers training as his NRL future remains clouded.
It has been reported that Matterson is unhappy and is agitating for a release just one year into a three-season deal with the Tigers.
The Tigers on Thursday confirmed the NSW State of Origin prospect had requested leave from training for the rest of the year due to “personal reasons”.
It will only intensify suggestions that the 24-year-old will be playing elsewhere next year amid reports he has unhappy at Concord.
Matterson was reportedly on just $350,000 this year but proved himself arguably the club’s best performer as they fell just shy of a finals berth.
While the club has been accused of paying over market value for talent over the last several seasons, Matterson was seen as a shrewd investment.
After coming to the Tigers from the Sydney Roosters, Matterson was brought into Blues camp by coach Brad Fittler as 18th man.
Despite finishing ninth and missing the finals for an eighth straight year, the Tigers have continued training over the last two weeks as part of Maguire’s plan to transform them into a top eight team.