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Foran an asset to any club, says Johnson

Struggling NRL star Kieran Foran has the quality to improve any side but first needs to recover mentally and physically, Kiwi teammate Shaun Johnson says.

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Source: AAP


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Any NRL club would be lucky to have Kieran Foran, according to the embattled five-eighth's Kiwi halves partner Shaun Johnson.

The out-of-contract star, who was released from a lucrative long-term deal with the Eels in July, has struggled with injury and personal problems in 2016.

The 26-year-old was also given time off before the termination of his Eels contract to attend a rehabilitation clinic.

Warriors linchpin Johnson said on Wednesday his first wish was to see Foran, a premiership winner with Manly, recover mentally and physically.

But he would be more than happy to line up alongside him in the future.

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"He's a really good player but he's dealing with a few other things at the moment," Johnson told reporters.

"I think any club would be lucky to have him."

Johnson had already extended a helping hand to Foran.

"I've spoken to him a little bit, I won't lie," Johnson said.

"But that was generally more as a mate, nothing about footy, letting him know I'm there for him."

Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden told Radio Sport on Tuesday Foran would have to get his life back in order to secure a Warriors contract.

He also knew CEO Jim Doyle had been communicating with Foran but denied speaking with Foran personally.

McFadden was more reticent to discuss the five-eighth on Wednesday.

"He's a quality player so if there was an opportunity, we'd be silly not to look at it," McFadden told reporters.

"But again, I'm not focused on that, we're trying to finish our season well."

Doyle said in a statement on Tuesday he'd be interested in further discussions with Foran when the player is ready to resume his NRL career.

The ninth-placed Warriors face the Cowboys in Townsville on the weekend before rounding out the season at home against the Tigers and Foran's ex-club Parramatta.


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