Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold says while the decision to grant Josh Schuster two weeks of personal leave is based around performance, the 22-year-old's wellbeing is front and centre in his thinking right now.
Schuster was granted leave this week amid rumours the Sea Eagles would allow him to entertain offers from other clubs, following the back-rower being overlooked for Manly's NRL side through the opening five rounds.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash against the Warriors in Auckland, Seibold said the period away will give Schuster time to "work out what he wants to do next."
"Ultimately it's a decision based around performance, but I care for Josh and I just think that there's another opportunity for Josh to reset and go again," Seibold said.
There's an opportunity for him to pause for the next two weeks... we will work in the background to make sure that things are sorted for both parties (the club and Schuster).
Anthony Seibold
"We will get things sorted during that period of time.
"First and foremost, my role is to look after Josh's wellbeing and his welfare."
Last June, Schuster and the Sea Eagles which runs through until the end of the 2027 season.
Having racked up 50 NRL appearances for the club since debuting in 2020, Schuster was kept home when the Sea Eagles travelled to Las Vegas for their Round 1 clash with the Rabbitohs after being hampered by illness, a finger injury and a calf strain in the pre-season.
Since then he's appeared in four NSW Cup games for Manly's feeder club Blacktown Workers.
With Reuben Garrick out under the concussion protocol in Round 6 and Ben Trbojevic switching from the second row to centre as cover, Seibold has opted to start Corey Waddell in the back row and bring Ethan Bullemor onto the bench to face the Warriors.
Warriors v Sea Eagles: Round 6