The National Rugby League club Manly insists star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is not going anywhere in the short-term despite the 23-year-old's manager requesting a release from the final year of his contract.
Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey is downplaying the impact of the request, which was denied by the defending premiers, to say Cherry-Evans will remain in maroon and white until the end of his deal which finishes in 2013.
Cherry-Evans' concerns stem from the fact he rose from nowhere last season to become a key member of Manly's premiership win, make his international debut, and the small matter of having another two years to run on a contract in which he is paid $85,000 a season - a paltry figure considering his standing in the game.
Toovey says a contract as far as he knows is a contract .
Manly's salary cap issues are believed to be tied to a number of back-ended deals negotiated by former coach Des Hasler, which has given them very little room to upgrade Cherry-Evans' current deal.
Full-back Brett Stewart appears the most likely to be forced out as he is believed to be chasing a four-year deal worth $600,000 a season.
