HIS next NRL contract might be the least of his concerns but Kieran Foran has still stoked speculation about his future by refusing to rule out a return next year to Australia.

The priority for the Warriors’ five-eighth is overcoming a hamstring complaint that had sabotaged his long-awaited NRL return last round.

The Warriors will sweat on his fitness ahead of Sunday’s home clash with Gold Coast.

And the Auckland club will also hope they can retain Foran after he had hinted at a Sydney return in 2018 to be closer to his children.

Round 19

“I want to get on the field for the Warriors and put my best foot forward for the club, which has given me an opportunity to turn things around and get my life back on track,” Foran told reporters on Wednesday.

“Once I’ve done that and I’m playing good footy again, I can start to consider where I’d like to be based next year - whether that be here or back in Sydney.”

Foran last played in the NRL in May before an ill-fated Parramatta stint ended with a shoulder injury and a well-documented battle with personal issues.

On a one-year Warriors deal, Foran said moving away from Sydney had been “refreshing” for his recovery.

But Foran is still contemplating leaving to be with his two young children who live with their mother in Sydney.

“Obviously, there are circumstances around that with two young kids back in Sydney,” Foran said.

“I’m not ruling anything out.” Foran took leave from the game last year after the breakdown of his long-term relationship.

He was cleared only last month by the NRL to return after passing a final psychological evaluation.

Foran said he was “not looking back” but believed he had come a long away since arriving at the Warriors.

“Mentally, I’ve really noticed a change in myself and I’m starting to turn a corner there and get a smile back on my face - it’s been a while,” the 26-year- old said.

“I’m not looking back. I’m not focused on what’s happened in the past 10 months. “It’s all about moving forward.

“There have been some difficult times but I have gotten through it. “I’ve had a great support network around me here.”

Foran must pass a fitness test on Saturday to end his 10-month NRL wait and make his Warriors debut.

The New Zealand outfit will be tempted to inject Foran after three straight losses.

But Foran said his recovery would not be rushed.

“I’m going to give myself every chance, right up until probably the captain’s run on Saturday,” Foran said.

“If it’s not (right for) this game, hopefully it’ll be the week after.” That would put him on a round-six collision course with former club Parramatta.