TITANS ON CAP WATCH FOR HAYNE

THE NRL’s salary cap stall has bought the Titans time for Jarryd Hayne to make a call on his future as coach Neil Henry declared he wanted his star fullback to stay on the Gold Coast.

Hayne ( left) has until May to activate an option in his contract to the remain at the Titans in 2018 and club powerbrokers are privately confident he will take it up.

Hayne’s tenure on the Gold Coast has been shaky since joining the club last August following his stints in the NFL and rugby sevens.

The 29- year- old has only managed eight appearances for the Titans and is currently out with an ankle injury.

But the Titans believe The Hayne Plane can reach the heights that made him an NRL superstar once he finds some clear air and they are hopeful his foray to the Gold Coast doesn’t end this year.

“We’re in no rush, it’s up to Jarryd,” Henry said.

“Hopefully he is in the affirmative and he sticks around and plays some good footy here. “It’s been unfortunate for him with the ( knee) injury at the Nines and the ankle injury could have been a fair bit worse.”

While Hayne has a month to notify the Titans of his intentions, the quicker he decides the better for the club.

The Gold Coast has set aside more than $ 1 million in its 2018 salary cap, including his marquee player allowance, for Hayne and they will have to find a replacement fullback if he decides to fly the coop.

Wests star James Tedesco and outof- favour Warriors talent Tui Lolohea are potential targets, but Henry said he was not concerned by waiting for Hayne given player movement had been limited due to doubts surrounding the salary cap.

“There’s not a lot of movement with contracts anyway,” he said.

“That’s how the cap is. Most clubs are in a holding pattern and the managers are waiting to see what it’s going to be.”

Hayne’s manager, Wayne Beavis, was on the Gold Coast last week and discussed his future with the Titans.

Hayne has interest from Europe, however, a return to Parramatta seems unlikely given the emergence of Bevan French at fullback.

Titans chief operating officer Tony Mestrov said the club was yet to see the best of Hayne. “We’d love Jarryd to stay,” he said. “From a Titans perspective we think his best footy is ahead of him.

“He’s really looking forward to coming back. Watching him over the last couple of weeks he’s got even more desire to play.

“The team really needs him back and playing well. When his ankle is back to 100 per cent he will be clear and we will see the best of him.”

Hayne could return for the Gold Coast’s Good Friday blockbuster against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on April 14.