Parramatta have expressed their desire to retain often-maligned big man Tony Williams.
Williams faces an uncertain NRL future after suffering a season-ending ACL rupture.
At 29, it's been touted that the off-contract former NSW and Australian forward would be forced to see out the end of his career in the English Super League.
While a lot will depend on Williams' rehabilitation, coach Brad Arthur indicated a willingness to extend his contract.
"It's early days but everything he's done has indicated to us that he's someone that we want to try and keep for next year," Arthur said.
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"We'll have to wait and see where that gets to. He trained really hard and I'm sure he'll train hard to get himself back.
"Hopefully he'll be right to do a full pre-season and then we'll go from there."
Williams has played 170 NRL games over 11 seasons, including Manly's 2011 grand final win and Canterbury's 2014 season-decider defeat.
He also made three appearances for NSW from 2012-14 and earned five Test caps each for Australia and Tonga.
The ex-Manly, Canterbury and Cronulla back-rower went to the Eels on a one-year deal hoping to repair his reputation after years of underachievement.
He was a good contributor in his five appearances for the Eels, averaging 89m and 51 minutes of game time before blowing out his knee against the Wests Tigers a fortnight ago.
Asked if it would be fitting for Williams to finish the job he set out to do, Arthur said: "Yeah, it would be."
