The continuing uncertainty over Wayne Bennett’s future at the Newcastle Knights has spread to the playing roster as the club struggles to bolster its ranks for next season and contends with the potential loss of Queensland and Australian representative Darius Boyd.

Boyd has only ever played under Bennett — they worked together at the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons before joining forces at the Knights — and is believed to have a clause in his contract which allows him to leave should the seven-time premiership-winning coach depart.

As such, as long as Bennett’s future is up in the air, so is Boyd’s. While Boyd had a difficult start to the year amid revelations he had not been paid some of his third-party deals, his form recently has been back to its best, culminating in an outstanding display against the Cowboys on Monday night. He has also been a solid performer for the beaten Maroons in the State of Origin series and his loss would be felt acutely in ­Newcastle, although Bennett’s departure would be even more devastating.

Although it is understood Bennett has indicated to the NRL he prefers to stay at the Knights next season, he is yet to formally commit beyond this year.

Read more at The Australian