Paul Green says there is no rush on Lachlan Coote’s future

PAUL Green says there is no rush for North Queensland to sort out the future of in-form fullback Lachlan Coote.

Cowboy's Lachlan Coote during the round 6 NRL game between the Penrith Panthers and the North Queensland Cowboys at Pepper Stadium,Penrith.Picture Gregg Porteous

NORTH Queensland coach Paul Green says there is no rush to sort out-of-contract fullback Lachlan Coote’s NRL future.

Coote is reportedly poised to decide whether he will take a pay cut and remain with the Cowboys, or take up a lucrative four-year deal offered by the Sydney Roosters, by the end of the weekend. But ahead of their home clash with Parramatta on Saturday night, Green said there is no such time frame.

“He’s handled himself really well throughout this whole process,” he told reporters on Friday.

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“He’s conscious of what we’ve got to do on Saturday night so I think it’s in everyone’s best interest if we just park it for now. “We’ll revisit it and it will get sorted when it gets sorted. “Recruitment’s an ongoing thing. It’s not just Cootey that’s coming off contract, it’s a process we’ve got to work through. “It’s important we don’t let any of that stuff distract us.” Coote, 26, played 83 games for Penrith but made his name at the Cowboys, where he has been a huge part of their recent success.

If he leaves, it means North Queensland may have to bring in a new fullback with teenage star Kalyn Ponga considered not yet ready to become a regular NRL starter.

Their other option is to shift utility Michael Morgan from the halves.

Originally published as Paul Green says there is no rush on Lachlan Coote’s future