NRL: Winger Gordon battles to secure Panthers contract

Michael Gordon. Photo / Getty Images

Penrith winger Michael Gordon admits he's no closer to signing a new deal with the Panthers but hopes the NRL high-flyers can come up with a package to keep him at CUA Stadium.

Gordon, off-contract at the end of the season, has taken over from Hazem El Masri as the most deadly kicking winger in the NRL and leads the league in points scored, but is yet to be approached by the club about extending his stay.

There have been suggestions the Panthers were looking at snaring Melbourne superstar Greg Inglis from the fallen former premiers, and have withdrawn a contract offer to Gordon, with Cronulla believed to be interested in signing the 26-year-old.

"I think it is all starting in-house now and what happens happens. I am very keen to stay, I have spent all of my career with the Panthers and I love the place," Gordon said.

"I get the impression the club are keen for me to stay, but I think they are waiting to see what happens with the whole Melbourne thing and if the salary cap changes will come in.

"All I can do is keep putting in and playing as well as I can and make it hard for them to let me go."

Gordon said he was doing his best to put the uncertainty out of his mind, but admitted his manager Andrew Purcell was already looking at other potential suitors.

"I hope they can sort something soon so I can get it out of the way and just concentrate on footy. I am not too sure what else is out there - that is what I pay my manager to do."

The Panthers consolidated their spot in the top four with Saturday's 28-10 win over Newcastle at CUA Stadium and Gordon said the side's self-belief is growing with each win.

"We have players who can score all across the team and it is an exciting team to play in and confidence is very high going into the bye."

Panthers winger Brad Tighe, who scored a try in either half against the Knights, said winning without injured skipper Petero Civoniceva was a good mental hurdle for the team to overcome, following last week's defeat by South Sydney.

- AAP