Future of Brisbane Broncos playmaker Peter Wallace up in the air

THE future of Broncos halfback-turned-hooker Peter Wallace oddly relies on New Zealand Warriors star Shaun Johnson.

THE future of Broncos halfback-turned-hooker Peter Wallace oddly relies on New Zealand Warriors star Shaun Johnson.

While Scott Prince is certain to leave the Broncos next year, Wallace could remain part of the Red Hill fabric.

However it is understood the Broncos are prepared to release the former Blues playmaker if he fields a good offer from a rival NRL club.

Wallace's major suitor is Penrith but their operations manager Phil Gould would prefer to lure Johnson on a long-term deal to partner Jamie Soward.

Wallace had an offer from the Panthers in June, but it was pulled off the table at the last minute when they learned Warriors halfback Johnson was interested in reuniting with coach Ivan Cleary.

Johnson is off contract for the 2015 season and the Panthers have discussed offering him a $1.8 million, three-year deal which is worth three times his current contract.

Johnson would prefer to stay at the Warriors but only if he receives a major pay rise and deservedly so considering his form this year and star power.

Warriors coach Matt Elliott is confident of retaining Johnson who hoped to have his contract extended by now.

Cleary, who took the Warriors to the grand final in 2011, has already lured former pupils Lewis Brown and Elijah Taylor to foot of the mountains.

Wallace's manager Allan Gainey said his client was in a difficult situation because most clubs had used up most of their 2014 cap space.

Wallace had previously had interest from the Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra.

"He's frustrated of course (with being on the bench),'' Gainey said.

"There's not much cap space in any NRL team next season.

"The Broncos are on record as saying they don't want to release him and I haven't heard any different."

Like Penrith, the Broncos are already planning for next season and Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford are set to be their first-choice halves.

Milford is likely to exercise a get-out clause in his Canberra Raiders contract to return to Brisbane so he can care for his ill father in Inala.

The deal could be formalised as early as this week.

Milford outshone Blues fullback Josh Dugan on Saturday night as the Raiders edged St George Illawarra 22-18.

The Broncos had the opportunity to sign Milford when he was a 13-year-old fullback destroying all-comers in Brisbane but Souths Logan and the Raiders snuck under their guard.

Meanwhile, Scott Prince's manager is expected to sound out rival NRL clubs to see if there is interest in the 33-year-old.

He could yet decide to dig his heels in and stay put at the Broncos, which would see him playing for the Ipswich Jets next season after Broncos officials told him this week he was not in their plans.

Prince once played alongside Jets co-coach Shane Walker.

Moving to England would be a last resort for Prince and Wallace.