Parramatta's coach and players say the welfare of struggling recruit Kieran Foran is more important than his deal with the club following news the Kiwi five-eighth has asked for an indefinite break to deal with personal issues.
While Foran's four-year deal at this stage still stands, the 25-year-old was already ruled out of the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury before being stripped of the Eels captaincy.
Speaking after a gutsy and emotional comeback 22-18 win over the Roosters at Pirtek Stadium on Friday night, coach Brad Arthur said the club would continue to support the troubled star.
"We're here to support him. Obviously he needs some time away from the game. His priority is getting himself right so we're happy to support him," Arthur said.
Eels players learned of Foran's intention to step away from the game for an indefinite period after the playmaker texted club captain Tim Mannah and Mannah forward the message to clubmates, according to five-eighth Corey Norman – the man who has had to shoulder the additional playmaking burden in Foran's absence.
"It's got nothing to do with him walking out on us, we want him to get right and get healthy, that's the main thing," Norman told NRL.com.
"Hopefully he can do that soon and he comes back to league."