Titans coach Neil Henry has declared that star centre James Roberts is a certainty to remain at the club after he delivered another blistering attacking display against former club South Sydney on Saturday night.
Having told NRL.com of his desire to see out the remainder of his career on the Gold Coast, Roberts twice torched the Rabbitohs' left-edge defence on Saturday before making a couple of errors late in the game as a result of exuberance as his side chased points.
Regarded by many as the fastest player in the NRL today, Roberts has made a happy home on the Gold Coast after troubled stints at both Souths and Penrith and Henry confirmed that a deal had all but been done.
NRL.com understands the major sticking point in negotiations has been the length of the deal but Henry said both parties would come to an agreement sooner rather than later.
"I think that both parties are satisfied that a deal will get done," Henry said after his side's 22-16 loss.
"He's said publicly that he's not interested in going anywhere and it will happen and I don't think it will be far away.
"He's quite OK with that, there's been some dialogue between his management and us and me and it will happen and probably soonish."
Having laid on the first of Anthony Don's two tries in the 10th minute Roberts scored his 10th try of the season in the 33rd minute, taking his career tally to 26 tries from 39 games.
Having made his debut for the Rabbitohs as an 18-year-old back in 2011, Roberts was sacked from both South Sydney and Penrith for disciplinary reasons but has played every game for the Titans since making his debut for the club in Round 14 last season.
His wonderful early season form was rewarded in the Representative Round with selection in the City Origin team and his combination with Don has become the most potent attacking weapon in the Titans' arsenal.
