IT’S the stock standard response - as long as I’m playing good footy, the contract will take care of itself.

Cowboys forward John Asiata hopes that approach translates into a new deal with North Queensland as several rival clubs watch on with interest.

Asiata has become a wanted man after his three week cameo in the halves after Johnathan Thurston went down with a calf injury.

His display in last week’s 26-6 home loss to Parramatta was his worst display as a playmaker, perhaps guilty of overplaying his hand in producing five errors.

His ball skills and kicking game separate him from most forwards and it has been reported six clubs, including Cronulla and Gold Coast Titans, are potentially interested in signing the 24-year-old.

Asked if he’s keen to stay a Cowboys, Asiata said: “That’s the goal, that’s all left to my manager.

“All that contract stuff, I’ll let him do his job and as long as I’m performing, I’ll get what my manager thinks I deserve.

“It’s about me playing the best footy I can for the Cowboys, this is where I am right now so this is my focus for the rest of the year.”

Asiata and Cowboys teammate Antonio Winterstein will turn out for Samoa in this Saturday’s Test match against England at Campbelltown Stadium.

It could provide a welcome freshen up after the Cowboys were outplayed and outenthused in almost every department against the Eels.

“It’s always special to be able to represent your country and be named in the squad again is an honour and I’m grateful for the opportunity I have,” Asiata said.

“(But) is a tough one to get rid of this (Eels) game and focus on what’s ahead.

“We’ve got a lot of things to fix after this game as a team, and we’re all a work in progress.”

“We got pressured, they ran harder than us and wanted it more.

“When we were under the pump we didn’t make the decisions we wanted and you can’t use the inexperienced team as an excuse.

“We’ve set a standard where if you put the jersey on you have to be there and do your job.”

One player desperate for Thurston to return is halves partner Michael Morgan, who has been forced into the unusual position of trying to guide the team around the park.

The Cowboys have already re-signed big name forwards Jason Taumalolo and Matt Scott while Storm prop Jordan McLean, the Kangaroos’ 18th man for Friday’s Test with New Zealand, will arrive next year.

But Morgan hopes Asiata will resist overtures from rivals and stay put in Townsville.

“I know he has some interest outside of here, we’ll wait and see,” Morgan said.

“I really hope he stays, he’s been a great part of our side for a long time now and fits in well with the group.

“I’d love to have him here for a number of years, at the end of the day it’s his decision.”

Morgan hopes Asiata doesn’t put his ball-playing skills on the backburner when he returns to the forwards against Canterbury on May 11.

“He was doing a bit of it before he went into the halves and I think he’ll have more confidence to do that, and more of it,” Morgan said.

“It gives us another option and I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to have a ball-playing role.”