NINE games.

That’s all almost half Parramatta’s current team have left to show why they deserve to remain at the NRL club as the last-placed Eels begin planning for next season.

Seven of the 17 players named to take on St George Illawarra on Thursday are without a home next year, including high-profile star Jarryd Hayne.

However coach Brad Arthur went one step further on Wednesday, saying even those contracted are fighting to retain their spots in 2019.

Round 20

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He insisted their priority is to finish with more wins than losses over the final nine matches.

“We want to do a bit of planning for next year but we need to make sure that we finish the year with more wins than losses,” Arthur told AAP.

“A lot of blokes are actually playing for next year as well. Some blokes are off-contract, some blokes are looking to play to cement a spot for next year.”

Arthur was unwilling to discuss speculation surrounding the future of contracted five-eighth Corey Norman, who has been linked with rival clubs Gold Coast and Parramatta in recent weeks.

Norman has one more year left on his deal but could be on the outer following reports the Eels have sounded out off-contract Canberra playmaker Blake Austin.

Despite fighting to stave off the wooden spoon, Arthur said everyone was also fighting for their future.

“It’s a big time for all of us. Even the players that are contracted next year, they’d like to get their futures secured sooner than later,” he said.

“But the only way we can do that is with some good form at the back end of the year.”

The Eels’ season sunk to another low this week after confirmation second-rower Manu Ma’u has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured cheekbone playing for Tonga.

While the injury would have allowed the club to apply for a salary cap exemption due to it occurring during the representative round, Arthur is keen on simply giving time to youngster Marata Niukore.

Niukore is one of a number of forwards without deals next year, including David Gower, Peni Terepo, Siosai Vave and Suaia Matagi, while the club has signed Junior Paulo and Shaun Lane.

“It’s disappointing for Manu because he’s been one of our better, more consistent players,” Arthur said.

“We’ve played (Niukore) a bit in the middle and he’s struggled at times with the pace of it but he’s gotten better and better. Now he gets an opportunity to play in his preferred position on the edge.

“We’ll see if he can punch out 80 minutes for us.”