Maguire provides update on Josh Reynolds

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire says while Josh Reynolds has been given the opportunity to look elsewhere by the club, his desire to contribute to the club hasn't changed.

A tough run of injuries has limited the former Origin winner to just nine appearances at Wests Tigers since joining the club ahead of the 2018 season, and with 300-gamer Benji Marshall playing as well as he is, tough conversations have been had between the Coach and Reynolds whose relationship remains strong. 

“I have a good relationship with Josh, he’s a great fella," Maguire said.

"I’ve obviously felt for him a bit over the last few months with not being able to get on the park because he wants to be playing first grade.

“With the knowledge of potentially Benji staying at the club, we had that conversation with him [Josh] and what he wanted to do with his future.

"He was keen to have a look around and we’ve granted that but obviously, he has a contract with us. It’s an opportunity for him to see where he is at and once he gets back on the field, we'll we know what type of player he is.”

Maguire said the decision to allow Reynolds to explore his options was one not done out of salary cap necessity, but rather allowing the five-eighth to find his way back on to the NRL field in a starting role in 2020.

"At the end of the day, you're always looking at the salary cap and your list of players and we're not satisfied with where we are as a group," Maguire said.

"We're continually trying to improve as a team.

"For Josh, this is an opportunity to see where he can go moving forward.

"At this moment in time, with Benji and Luke here, they've tied up those positions in the halves. Granted, Josh wants to play five-eighth but Benji has ben playing some good footy, and I've been upfront with Josh and spoke to him about where we are at this present moment.

"I've always admired the competitiveness about how he is as a person — he's certainly a very capable player."

Reynolds will not feature for Western Suburbs Magpies in their Round 18 Canterbury Cup clash against St. George-Illawarra as he battles a minor groin injury. The Magpies are in action on Sunday, July 21 from 1:10pm AEST.