WHOLEHEARTED prop Josh King faces an uncertain future with the Newcastle Knights after missing out on a position in their top-25 contracted players for next season.
All NRL clubs were required to announce their initial squads for 2021 on Friday. They need to have 29 contracted players in place by March next year, and the final spot in their top 30 must be filled by June 30.
King was the most notable omission from Newcastle's squad, although it is understood the club is waiting for further clarification about the second-tier salary cap for next season.
A Singleton junior who also played in the Newcastle Rugby League for Cessnock, King debuted for the Knights in 2016. He has since played in a further 59 top-grade games for Newcastle, including seven this season.
The Knights already appear a couple of middle forwards short of a full complement after the retirement of Tim Glasby and the departure of Herman Ese'ese to Gold Coast Titans.
The other off-contract players who missed out on positions in Newcastle's preliminary squad were hooker Chris Randall, five-eighth Mason Lino and centre Tautau Moga.
Moga has been released and appears set to reunite with former coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney.
Lino has been linked to Cronulla and Canberra, while late bloomer Randall, like King, finds himself in limbo.
There are only two new names so far on Newcastle's list: Test forward Tyson Frizell and English centre Dominic Young, both of whom have signed three-year deals.
