NORTH Queensland backrower Tariq Sims will link up with younger brother Korbin at the Newcastle Knights next season with the deal set to be announced as soon as he is officially granted a release by the Cowboys.

Sims is under contract to the Cowboys for a further season but after four years in Townsville, is desperate to return closer to family in Sydney and was given permission to negotiate with rival clubs more than two months ago.

The former Gerringong junior was initially linked to a move to St George Illawarra but with the cash-strapped Dragons struggling for room under the salary cap, he turned his attention to interest from elsewhere with the Knights winning out.

“He was keen to get back to the Wollongong area which is closer to home for him but Newcastle is a similar sort of place,” one source said.

“His brother is at the Knights and has probably played a role in him going there as well.”

The uncertainty surrounding Wayne Bennett’s future as Newcastle coach has not impacted on his decision.

Still only 24, Sims will be hoping the move can reignite his representative aspirations.

The former Toyota Cup player of the year has been on the verge of NSW Origin selection on a couple of occasions after fighting back from two broken legs in his first two seasons at the Cowboys.

Meanwhile, Queensland Origin winger Darius Boyd’s future at the Knights remains clouded despite two man-of-the-match performances in his past two games for the club.

Boyd has been the centre of ongoing speculation for months following revelations early in the season the club had not delivered on a $200,000 third party deal.

BOYD BACK BUT DOESN’T WANT TO TALK

He was heavily criticised for his substandard form and said to be unhappy in Newcastle and ready to walk away from the final year of his contract in 2015 worth $600,000.

It’s understood his first preference is a return home to the Gold Coast but it appears more likely he may end up at either the Bulldogs or Canberra, two clubs who are both chasing a fullback, if he does decide to leave.

But Knights CEO Matt Gidley said the speculation was simply that.

“There’s been no mention from Darius of him wanting a release,” Gidley said.