One of Newcastle's rising talents - and a potential back-up fullback to skipper Kalyn Ponga - has been courted by a Super League club seeking his services for the upcoming season.
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Rookie outside-back David Armstrong has been sought out by the Adrian Lam-coached Leigh Leopards.
The reigning Challenge Cup champions have expressed interest in signing the 22-year-old, who is yet to make his NRL debut.
Originally from Mungindi on the NSW-Queensland border, Armstrong is entering his third year with the Knights and has been elevated into the top-30 roster after a standout NSW Cup campaign last year.
He has scored 18 tries in 23 NSW Cup appearances over the past two seasons, including 15 tries in 18 games last year.
The Newcastle Herald understands Lam has spoken with Armstrong, and multiple English media outlets have also reported Leigh's interest.
It comes after Leigh's failed pursuit of Broncos back Tristan Sailor.
But it remains to be seen whether the approach develops any further and whether the Knights would entertain a move if Armstrong requested it.
Knights football director Peter Parr said on Thursday he was yet to be approached by either party, and wouldn't comment unless so.
The Knights have one spot left in their top-30 roster.
Armstrong, contracted for 2024 only, shapes as a back-up fullback option should Kalyn Ponga be unavailable, but Will Pryce, who has played 45 Super League games, is potentially ahead of him in the pecking order.
He has also been touted as an outside-chance to play on the wing following Dominic Young's departure. But the experienced Enari Tuala, new recruit Tom Jenkins and two-game rookie Krystian Mapapalangi are also vying for that position.
Armstrong, who is eligible for the Indigenous All Stars, spoke last month about his aspirations of cracking a maiden NRL start in 2024.
"In terms of short-term goals, I want to have another good year in the (NSW) Cup," he told his home-region newspaper The Toowoomba Chronicle.
"I finished leading try-scorer for us last year and missed out on a bunch of games, so I want to stay injury-free and have a good, consistent year.
"I would love a possible debut, I feel like I am ready but as long as I do everything right so if the opportunity does come, I know I've done everything I can.
"There is still a fair competition for that right-wing spot which is available now but there are probably another three or four boys who are pushing for it as well."
Super League kicks off later this month. Leigh face Huddersfield in their season-opener on Saturday, February 17 (AEDT), the same day as Newcastle's first pre-season trial against Cronulla in Gosford.
