The future of unwanted Knights hooker Danny Levi has been further clouded following the suspension of his manager Mario Tartak by the NRL.
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Levi has a year to run on his $350,000 contract at the Knights but is likely to spend the majority of it in NSW Cup next season following the club's decision to sign Sharks hooker Jayden Brailey on a three year deal.
Given the go-ahead to look elsewhere, Levi has been shopped around to rival clubs by Tartak for several months but up to date, has had no takers. Now, that negotiation process has been further complicated.
Tartak, who also manages Kangaroos hooker Damien Cook and controversial Manly hooker Manase Fainu among others, was suspended by the NRL on Friday over a bankruptcy issue stemming from a dispute with American Express.
All 16 NRL clubs have been instructed not to deal with Tartak during his suspension.
It leaves Levi's prospects of finding another club in limbo with the likelihood of him starting next season in Newcastle colours becoming more and more likely.
Along with Kangaroos prop David Klemmer, Levi was absent last week when pre-season training kick-off for the rest of the Knights squad under coach Adam O'Brien. After starring in the World Cup Nines for Samoa, Levi featured in the Test against Fiji won 44-18 by the Bati in Auckland earlier this month and has been given extended time off.