Chris Sandow reckons his style of footy wins games, but he won't be playing them for Parramatta for much longer after being told he is free to pack his bags immediately.

Sandow cost himself any chance of a contract extension when he publicly challenged coach Brad Arthur's game plans on Wednesday. The club is also considering sanctioning the enigmatic halfback for his comments at the inaugural Parramatta Girls Rugby League Day at Richie Benaud Oval, which included: "If he lets me play how I want to play, we'll win more games."

Unwanted Eel: Halfback Chris Sandow has been told he can leave. Credit:James Brickwood

The 26-year-old added: "It's tough because last year I played my own footy under Brad. Something must have changed his mind about how he should play me … I just want to play my own footy … I think it's something people come to watch."

While there has been a falling out between the parties, they appear to be stuck with each other in the short term. The Eels' much-publicised salary cap problems - they were handed a $525,000 breach notice for overspending last year - means that dropping Sandow back to Wentworthville is no simple matter. Arthur's preference for much of this year was to play Luke Kelly at No.7, but the fact the Eels are on the limit for the second-tier cap means they require special dispensation from cap auditor Jamie L'Oste Brown to select him. The Eels want Kelly to play against his former club Melbourne on Monday night but it remains to be seen whether they will be granted permission to do so.