PARRAMATTA will head into tonight's season opener against St George Illawarra under pressure to retain Kris Keating after it emerged North Queensland had become the latest club to express an interest in the halfback.
While Cowboys officials deny their interest in Keating has anything to do with the future of halfback and captain Johnathan Thurston, chief executive Peter Parr confirmed contact had been made with the player's manager.
Keating was already in the sights of the Bulldogs, who had earmarked him as a fallback option should they miss out on Daniel Mortimer. This week, Mortimer announced he had signed a new deal with Parramatta.
Just where Keating, 21, fits in at the Cowboys could be contingent on Thurston's future.
North Queensland's talismanic figure is yet to announce whether he will remain in the NRL next season or play rugby union overseas.
Should he accept a new deal with the Cowboys, Keating will play five-eighth. If Thurston leaves, Keating shapes as a potential replacement.
Parramatta's opponents tonight have problems of their own. The Dragons will be without centre Matt Cooper (hamstring), while captain Ben Hornby is also in doubt as he struggles with an infected wisdom tooth.
Nick Emmett has come into the centres for Cooper, while hooker Nathan Fien will move to halfback if Hornby is ruled out, meaning a recall for veteran rake Luke Priddis.
"Benny Hornby has had to sit out with an infected wisdom tooth," St George Illawarra utility Dean Young said. "He couldn't join us today but I am sure he will be right for the game."
It seems the market is heating up in regards to KK. This would make it harder to retain him and probably jack up his price... although I'd assume it all hinges on JT leaving the Cowboys, regardless of what they say. Which I think is unlikely.
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