Broncos set to retain Origin forward Matt Gillett on a new deal worth almost $2 million

JACK Reed’s season-ending and career-threatening shoulder injury will help the Broncos retain Origin forward Matt Gillett on a new deal worth almost $2 million.

Broncos are set to retain Origin forward Matt Gillett on a new deal worth almost $2 million.

JACK Reed’s season-ending and career-threatening shoulder injury will help the Broncos retain Origin forward Matt Gillett on a new deal worth almost $2 million.

The Broncos are confident Gillett will shun interest from the Warriors and Titans to sign a multi-year extension.

Gillett’s retention announcement has been held up by salary cap uncertainty surrounding his close mate Reed, who is desperately trying to keep his NRL career alive.

Coach Wayne Bennett’s revelation that Reed and Kodi Nikorima (shoulder) will not return this season was another crushing setback for the British Test centre.

Jack Reed could be facing a career-ending injury. Pic Annette Dew

Reed, who is off contract after next season, is on around $400,000 annually at Red Hill. Should he be unable to return next year, the Broncos will be entitled to salary cap concessions pending a medical submission to the NRL.

Gillett has fielded offers of more than $700,000 a season, but Reed’s likely retirement will give the Broncos additional cap space to upgrade the Maroons back-rower beyond 2018.

Gillett recently suggested he would be prepared to leave if the Broncos could not strike a deal but coach Wayne Bennett expects his star forward to be on deck next season.

“I hope he will be here next year,” Bennett said. “He was going to the Warriors the last time I heard, so I don’t know where he’s going next week. He’s playing for the Broncos this week.’’

Reed was initially expected to miss a month after pulling out of the Round 14 game against Canberra but Bennett confirmed he and Nikorima would not be back this season.

Reed’s right shoulder is believed to be so bad he is struggling to lift his arm above his head. After two operations on each shoulder, his right one has turned arthritic.

Broncos are set to retain Origin forward Matt Gillett on a new deal worth almost $2 million

“There’s a few prognoses going on at the moment, but (Reed) won’t be back this year,’’ Bennett said.

“We were hoping to get (Nikorima) some games before the end of the year but we’ve run out of time. Jack and Kodi are in the same boat at the moment.’’

An NRL spokesman said clubs could only gain salary cap exemptions for players who suffered career-ending injuries.

The Broncos would have to convince the NRL with medical records that Reed suffered an injury which made it impossible for him to play rugby league again.

“Under our rules, a player who cannot continue in the game must be paid out for the rest of his contract by the club or insurance,” the spokesman said.

“If the club can demonstrate that the player has suffered a career-ending injury they can seek to have that player’s salary exempted from the cap.’’