Wests Tigers star Ryan Matterson has been granted leave from training for the final part of the year due to personal reasons.
The Tigers granted Matterson's request on Thursday. The club missed the finals after losing to Cronulla on the last day of the regular season but the team is continuing to train through to grand final week.
The news comes amid conjecture around Matterson's future at the Tigers, and his relationship with coach Michael Maguire.
The second-rower was a standout in his first season at the club after arriving from the Roosters, scoring five tries in 24 matches and averaging 131 run metres per game.
Last week his management met the club and sought formal permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
