Hayson denies Foran contact

CONTROVERSIAL Australian gambler Eddie Hayson has denied suggestions he is still in contact with Kieran Foran and urged the NRL to approve the troubled league star’s return to the game.

Foran has signed a one-year deal with the Warriors that has yet to be registered by the NRL as it seeks assurances that the Kiwi international is in the right head space after his life unravelled in 2016.

It has also been reported that a key condition of his return is to have no contact with long-time friend Hayson, which appears to be the main sticking point.

The Daily Telegraph claims that NRL officials have some reservations over the pair’s ongoing relationship.

However, Hayson insists he has not seen Foran for months.

‘‘I was distressed to learn that the reason Kieran won’t be cleared to return is because we’ve been in contact,’’ Hayson told the Telegraph. ‘‘I haven’t seen him for over three months. I haven’t been hanging out with him. I haven’t had any contact with him.’’

Last year, former brothel owner Hayson was reported to be a person of interest asNSW police looked into suspicious betting in three NRL matches. Hayson denied any wrongdoing and welcomed an investigation into match-fixing.

Foran and Hayson have been close for about a decade and were pictured gambling together in Gosford in August.

When Foran was rushed to hospital in 2016 after overdosing on prescription medication, Hayson later said his friend might not have been alive if he wasn’t there to help him through such a turbulent period.

Foran said last September he was ‘‘happy to pull the pin’’ on his relationship with Hayson if the NRL needed him to and he is said to have made some progress with the competition’s integrity unit.

He is expected to be cleared to play at some stage in 2017 but exactly when remains up in the air.

In December, Warriors managing director Jim Doyle said a decision on his future would likely be made in January, but the Telegraph claims he could be forced to wait until round six before he is allowed to resume his career.

Hayson says he should be cleared immediately.

‘‘I just wish for Kieran’s sake that the NRL would clear him so he is able to get on with his life, as he has done nothing wrong.’’

As well as the concerns surrounding his private life, Foran is also recovering from a shoulder injury which could also affect the timing of his return.

The Warriors open their season against Newcastle at Mt Smart on March 5.