Gold Coast have earmarked Tyrone Roberts as a fallback halves option should the club lose out on the signature of Trent Hodkinson to Newcastle.

The Titans are still on the look-out for a halves partner for Kane Elgey after Daly Cherry-Evans reneged on a four-year deal in favour of a "lifetime" one worth $10 million at Manly. The Queensland club has not only missed out on Cherry-Evans, but also the Roosters' James Maloney, who instead opted to join Cronulla. It's likely Hodkinson will also slip through its grasp as well, with the NSW and Canterbury No.7 said to be leaning towards a shift to the Hunter.

Wanted man: Tyrone Roberts. Credit:Getty Images

Should that move eventuate, the Knights will have no need for Roberts, who has fallen out of favour this season. The 24-year-old strung together 79 consecutive first-grade appearances before injuring his ankle in late May and was solid during the club's four-game winning streak to start the season. However, he is no certainty of immediately returning to first grade and would be offered a release from the final year of his contract should Hodkinson agree to terms.

Titans sources have indicated Roberts is a player of interest as the club seeks a replacement for Canberra-bound pivot Aidan Sezer.