RUGBY LEAGUE
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Trent Merrin is expected to put pen to paper with a new club before the NRL season kicks off this week.
Barring a late change of heart, the Mercury understands Merrin is likely to sign with Penrith, amid interest from Wayne Bennett at Brisbane, after telling St George Illawarra he wants to move on.
The 25-year-old has informed the Dragons he will not be at the club beyond 2015 and spent the weekend away with family and friends contemplating his next move.
However, Merrin's manager Wayne Beavis said his client had not made a decision on his future and expected it to be cleared up before the Dragons begin their campaign against Melbourne on Monday week.
"We hope he's ready to sign [this week]," Beavis said.
Asked if Merrin had made up his mind, Beavis said: "No. He's the client and I'll wait for him to make up his mind".
Merrin came through the Dragons ranks before breaking into the NSW side in 2011.
Until recently the Panthers appeared in the box seat to sign Merrin. However, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, who handed him his NRL debut at the Dragons, has made overtures to his former charge about luring him to Red Hill.
Manly are also hoping to resolve the contract uncertainties of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran this week. Cherry-Evans is being courted by the Gold Coast and Cronulla, while Foran has a big-money offer on the table with Parramatta.
Publicly the Sea Eagles are hopeful of retaining both, but behind closed doors are preparing contingency plans.
AAP