The most talked about hamstring in the NRL is the most mysterious one.
Parramatta captain Kieran Foran says club doctors are at a loss to explain a hamstring injury that is not only preventing him training with his teammates, but restricting him on game day as well.
The Eels' star recruit made his highly anticipated club debut in last week's impressive win over reigning premiers North Queensland, and admitted he was playing underdone.
"It's restricting me a tad in the game, probably not able to take off the way that I would like or I have been in the past," Foran said on Tuesday.
"But it's not affecting me hugely. I can still get the team around the park and slot in where I need to and execute the plays I want to. It's not a big issue for me at the moment."
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Pinpointing the exact nature of the problem is, however.
The 25-year-old has a long history of hamstring injuries, dating back to his days at Manly, but his latest aggravation is different to what he's encountered in the past.
And the Eels' medical staff are also at pains to figure out why.
"I've had a lot of hamstring issues over the past six years but this feeling, I haven't really had before," he said.
"It's different and it's just trying to work out where it's coming from and what's causing that pain.
"I was able to get through the game fine against the Cowboys but, obviously, it pulled up sore, ice my way through week and get myself prepared for Friday night.
"It's a bit of a mystery what's actually causing the pain there. They're working overtime here and they're trying to get to the bottom of it and I'm sure they will."
Foran says it's begun to affect him mentally.
"I have my down days here - the guys will tell you," he said.
"I get a bit frustrated with what's going on, trying to work it out, 's**t - there's nothing really showing, so what could it be?"
And while the Eels' halfback won't train until Thursday's captain's run, he remains confident of taking his place in Friday's clash with Canterbury.
Foran also revealed he was close to following former coach Des Hasler to Belmore at the end of 2012.
"I was pretty close a couple of times, especially in 2012. I was off-contract there at Manly," he said.
"He had just gone and I definitely considered it. But in the end, decided to stay there with the club I'd been at. It's all in the past now. He's moved on - I've moved on.
"I'm here and my focus is just putting my best foot forward for Parramatta."
