Parramatta are prepared to give up on this season if Anthony Watmough isn't cleared from the salary cap, with fears the Eels could set themselves back another three years if they shed their best talent to play for points from next week.

The Eels' first priority remains becoming compliant to play for points this season, but are sweating on the NRL to label Watmough's knee problems as a career-ending injury, which would see him exempt from the salary cap and wipe close to $450,000 from the $570,000 they need to shed by next Friday's game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

However, if the request is knocked back, the Eels are weighing up whether to bite the bullet and sacrifice their 2016 campaign in order to keep the bulk of their squad together in the hope of competing for a title next season.

The release of key players could allow them to compete for points this year, however the departure of those players will all but guarantee the Eels fail to win 12 of 15 games most likely required to make the top eight.