Off-contract star in limbo as Eels swing the axe

Blake Ferguson is set to be axed by Brad Arthur, as the Parramatta Eels coach desperately looks to stem a pair of concerning losses on the trot.

The Sydney Morning Herald's Michael Chammas reports, the off-contract star is set to cop the fall for the Eels' disappointing fortnight and will be dropped for his side's clash against Newcastle on Sunday.

Arthur will name his team for the Round 13 match at 4pm.

It's a tough situation for Ferguson, considering he has no guarantees over his future, told by the Eels at the start of the year he would not be at their club in 2022. He is yet to secure a spot at a rival club.

Meanwhile, Brent Naden will have to wait at least another week on the sideline after being overlooked for a spot in a Panthers line-up that has been ravaged by State of Origin.

Naden has not featured in Ivan Cleary's ladder-leading squad since serving his time for a cocaine ban.

MORE TO COME.

NRL TEAMS

Thursday

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, 7.50pm

Dragons: TBA

Broncos: TBA

Friday

Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers at Leichhardt Oval, 7.55pm

Tigers: TBA

Panthers: TBA

Saturday

Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park, 7.35pm

Storm: TBA

Titans: TBA

Sunday

Newcastle Knights vs Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm

Knights: TBA

Eels: TBA

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