Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is happy Todd Carney is set to resume his career with North Sydney, but is cagey on a possible return to the NRL club.
Carney's move to the Bears has been put on hold as his management negotiate a payout figure with Queensland Cup side Northern Pride following his exit for personal reasons earlier this month.
His decision to link with South Sydney's feeder team has been met with fierce criticism from the Rabbitohs, who reportedly threatened to cut ties with the foundation club.
It is now understood North Sydney are in talks to partner with the Roosters, who are without their own reserve grade club in 2019 after Wyong opted to sever ties at the end of the NSW Cup season.
Carney spent arguably the best season of his career at the Roosters, where he helped the club reach the grand final against St George Illawarra in 2010.
However he was sacked from the club the following season and spent nearly three years at Cronulla before his contract was again torn up after his infamous 'bubbler' incident.
Robinson was non-committal when asked whether he would be interested in signing Carney, who still needs clearance from the NRL if he was to lodge a contract with a club.
"He's a good man and on his own path. It was good to hear that they were going to give him an opportunity but obviously that's got nothing to do with us," Robinson said.
Robinson also said the club were yet to decide who would be their feeder club next season, although it is also understood the Roosters could field their own reserve grade team.
"Obviously Wyong won't be continuing in the (Intrust Super Premiership) next year, so we're looking at our options over the next few years. We're obviously quite keen to partner with someone," he said.
"There's a few options out there and obviously there's a lot of speculation. But we've just got to continue and see what happens over the next couple of months."
Australian Associated Press