Tim Mannah would love to have Jarryd Hayne back at Parramatta, but he doesn't expect the former Eels superstar to return to the NRL anytime soon.
Long-time Parramatta captain Mannah is in regular contact with Hayne and says the San Francisco 49er is remaining positive despite his latest setback.
Hayne has been dropped to the practice squad at the 49ers and is unlikely to play in the NFL again this season after playing in six games.
But Mannah expects him to stick with his NFL dream rather than return to the NRL.
"I can't see it happening in the near future," Mannah said at pre-season training on Thursday.
"I'm not Jarryd so I can't make his decisions for him but I think he is a very driven bloke, he has a point to prove over there and I don't know that he is coming back any time soon."
Sam Burgess announced his return to the NRL last week after a controversial 12-month stint in rugby union and Mannah conceded he would love to Hayne follow suit.
"That would be nice, but I can't make that call for him," he said.
"I'm just like everyone else wishing the best for him, hoping he gets back in the team and gets some minutes there. I don't think the NRL is the first thing on his mind at the moment.
"He wants to get some things done in his life and in his career, and I think he is still hungry, and I am pretty sure he will succeed in what he does. He will be back and he will find a role for himself over there."
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