Castleford Tigers are locked in a stalemate with Jordan Rankin over a new contract.
The Tigers have already opened negotiations with the fullback after his impressive form at the end of last season.
Rankin is on loan at Castleford for the year after an extension to last year’s agreement with Huddersfield, which saw Joe Wardle go the other way.
But the Australian is off-contract at the end of the season, leaving him free to speak to other clubs come May 1st.
The Tigers are keen to keep the 28-year-old and strike a deal early. However, the two parties are currently some way apart in their negotiations and talks are understood to have been put on hold.
Should Rankin recapture his form from the end of 2019, he won’t be short of potential suitors. Capable of playing anywhere in the backs, he would be a useful addition to most clubs in Super League.
It appears that talks will now resume sometime this month.