The Warriors new marquee recruit Kieran Foran is in danger of missing the 2017 season altogether, according to reports emerging from Sydney.
A clause in Foran's contract is understood to stipulate that he must receive clearance from the NRL's integrity unit by December in order to take the field next season.
However Fairfax Media has stated that, despite the efforts of Warriors boss Jim Doyle to expedite the process, the chances of that happening are 'remote', which in turn may render the 26-year-old's deal null and void.
The Warriors have been reluctant to comment on the premise that any contract details should remain confidential.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said Monday that he would like to see Foran back in the competition, but only "under the right conditions."
"I'm like everyone else. I want to see Kieran Foran back playing rugby league," Greenberg said. "But we have to ensure that we understand fully the issues that he's dealing with and our integrity unit will do that over the coming months.
"We need to be very careful on how we do that and it needs to be done appropriately so I'm not going to provide a running commentary throughout it. I'm a supporter of him playing football again but only under the right conditions."
The troubles of the former Manly star have been well documented and the NRL will be investigating a range of areas before providing him a green light, ranging from his mental health to claims of match-fixing.
Foran took to social media yesterday to proclaim his innocence in any such affairs, reiterating his desire to return to competition.
"I want to assure you, I have done nothing wrong," he posted on Instagram. "I took a break from the game because I felt I wasn't in the head space to uphold my commitments as a contracted footballer.
"I have been very open about my struggle with health issues and asked for time to concentrate on rebuilding my life. Every day I wake up with a positive outlook, but then I read my name in the headlines. This makes it very difficult to move forward with a positive mindset.
"All I have done, is gotten sick, admitted publicly to it and taken time out for myself. I just ask that I am given the time I need to heal in peace."
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