Parramatta's Clinton Gutherson insists his influence on the Eels' NRL structure won't change if he is shifted out of the halves next week.
Gutherson has been something of a Mr. Fix-It for Parramatta this season, playing both five-eighth and fullback in the opening 13 rounds and regularly being one of the Eels' best.
That versatility is likely to see him moved into the centres or the wing against North Queensland in Darwin next week, if chief playmaker Corey Norman returns from a knee injury.
Norman's possible return is about the only good news for the eighth-placed Eels on the injury front.
Captain Tim Mannah is unlikely to overcome a rib injury for the match, while fellow prop Siosaia Vave is no chance of beating a calf complaint in time.
The Eels also lost winger Josh Hoffman to a knee injury on Friday night, while bench forward David Gower broke his hand in the gutsy 32-24 win over the Warriors at ANZ Stadium.
Already without former NSW Origin centre Michael Jennings, fellow outside back Kirisome Auva'a suffered a knee injury late in Friday's win but stayed on the field given there was just one man left on the bench.
But Gutherson said even if he is shifted wide to cover the shortage, he wouldn't change his game after he had developed into one of the Eels' best in the halves.
"I don't really look at the number on my back," Gutherson said.
"I'll still do what I've been doing. I'll just float around and do my part no matter where I am."
Gutherson started the season as a stop-gap No.6, however the mid-season arrival of Mitchell Moses will end his long-term prospects there.
He had a hand in two of the Eels' tries on Friday night, and also scored the match-sealer out of dummy half in the dying minutes.
The try was his seventh of the season, making him the NRL's leading pointscorer with 104, while he has also broken the line 12 times.
And Arthur doesn't want him to change a thing either if he moves elsewhere.
"It doesn't matter where I play Gutho - he'll still do the same job," Arthur said.
"He's a genuine footballer. He's very committed.
"He wants to make something out of his career. He's just a competitor. He wants to win.
"He gives himself every chance every weekend to be one of our better players."
Share
