HULL FC's director of rugby Shaun McRae admits the future of rising star Jamie Shaul is yet to be decided as both club and player assess their options for next season.
The 20-year-old signed a one-year deal at the end of last season and has subsequently impressed, earning a Super League debut against Wakefield over Easter.
Shaul's two-try performance at the Wildcats pushed the former Skirlaugh Bulls youngster into the spotlight as one of the club's brightest young prospects.
However, as he is unable to compete in the under-19s competition, and with dual-registered partners York having a settled full-back, he has been left kicking his heels in training.
At least one Super League club is thought to be showing interest, and there have also been suggestions of Shaul attracting interest from a rugby union side.
With the May 1 anti-tampering deadline approaching, Hull must let Shaul know whether he is being offered a deal, giving him time to speak to other clubs if not.
And McRae admits that means a big decision needs to made in the coming weeks.
"We would like to keep Jamie and we would like to help him develop further," McRae told the Mail.
"Jamie could be another of the club's academy graduates to come through the system and become a Super League regular.
"He's still very young and is learning all the time, but he's impressed in practice.
"We have a budget and we have to be conscious of that. Jamie is a full-back and we have Shannon McDonnell signed for next year as well.
"Jamie may have other opportunities, I don't know about that. But we'd like him to stay."
There are no suggestions Shaul is eager to leave Hull, a club he supported growing up.
However, the young player is known to be frustrated about the lack of opportunities to play.
With McDonnell signed until the end of 2014, Shaul knows he is likely to see the situation unaltered in the immediate future.
Hull are continuing to explore all options with Shaul, including finding him a loan deal.
Shaul is hoping to make his second appearance in the first team this weekend when Hull host North Wales Crusaders in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup at the KC Stadium.
