Richie Fa'aoso set for transfer from the Newcastle Knights to the Melbourne Storm

UNWANTED Newcastle prop Richie Fa'aoso is poised to sign a short-term deal to link up with premiership frontrunners the Melbourne Storm.

UNWANTED Newcastle prop Richie Fa'aoso is poised to sign a short-term deal to link up with premiership frontrunners the Melbourne Storm for the rest of the season.

While negotiations have not been finalised, it's believed Fa'aoso will fly to Melbourne today or tomorrow for a medical to ensure the deal is done before the June 30 registration cut-off.

A regular in the Knights' NRL squad since joining the club in 2008, Fa'aoso has had limited game time under coach Wayne Bennett this year and was told this month he would not be re-signed when his contract expires at season's end. Bennett also told him he would not stand in his way if he wanted to leave immediately.

It's understood Fa'aoso has also been in talks with both Manly and Canberra and there is speculation he may end up at the Sea Eagles next season with the Storm said to be only interested in a short-term deal.

A Melbourne Storm source yesterday confirmed the club had been in negotiations with Fa'aoso.

"There is certainly some interest there but nothing has been finalised at this stage," the source said.

"We are looking for a short-term solution in the front row for the rest of this season and Richie is one of the players who we identified."

Meanwhile, Bennett has named Peter Mata'utia as Maroons star Darius Boyd's replacement at fullback and has added Kevin Naiqama and Chris Adams to an extended bench for the Knights' clash with Parramatta on Saturday night.

The Knights broke a five-game losing streak to beat the Wests Tigers 38-20 on Monday night.