BENJI Marshall is running out of options to continue his NRL career beyond this season with Parramatta reluctant to offer the veteran playmaker a lifeline.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Marshall’s management reached out to the Eels via email this week, but the club stressed they couldn’t enter official discussions due to uncertainty around their salary cap.

Parramatta are still awaiting clarity from the NRL on their top-tier cap for 2017 before kickstarting any moves to replace Kieran Foran in the halves.

It’s understood the Eels have full understanding of their second-tier cap for next season and, like rival Sydney clubs, this is the only contract they would consider offering Marshall in the twilight of his career.

However this is unlikely to happen as Parramatta hone in on securing a player on a top-tier contract.

The Eels’ first priority is locking in a top-line half following Foran’s departure for personal reasons.

It’s understood Parramatta’s preference is to sign a playmaker on a one-year deal, which would allow them to search the market at the end of next season.

There are a cast of big name halves coming off-contract at the completion of 2017, including Adam Reynolds, Ben Hunt, Josh Reynolds and Jack Bird.

Parramatta are close to locking in Corey Norman on a three-year extension worth approximately $2.2 million and have their sights set on a quality player to partner him in the halves long-term.

Before this can happen though, the Eels need to receive clarification around their salary cap for 2017.

The club has provided a submission to the NRL and remain hopeful of receiving a final indication on their top-tier cap for next season in the coming weeks. This will allow Parramatta to finalise contracts with interested players.

The Eels were interested in Newcastle back-rower Robbie Rochow, but he has decided to join South Sydney on a one-year deal.

Eels coach Brad Arthur said the club would wait for the NRL’s final determination on their cap before acting in the player market.

Asked if the club had any interest in signing unwanted Wests Tigers veteran hooker Robbie Farah, he said: “Robbie is a quality player and there are plenty of quality players on the market.

“We just need to sit back, take a breath and see where we are at and what we need. I’ve got a spreadsheet with about 40 names that have been thrown at us.

“When we get a final indication from the NRL on our salary cap we’ll be in a better position to make a decision about what direction we need to go.”