Lyon likely to squirm away from Eels and become an Eagle

THE saga over the future of Jamie Lyon is set to end within days, with the former Parramatta, NSW and Australian centre tipped to join Manly.

The Herald understands that Lyon's friendship with Sea Eagles recruitment officer Noel Cleal will be the determining factor when it comes to Lyon's decision where to play next year.
Lyon, who is in the final year of a two-year deal with English club St Helens, is also friends with one of Cleal's sons, Gareth.

Parramatta have a contractual hold over Lyon that prevents other clubs from negotiating with him until the anti-tampering deadline passes tomorrow.

He walked out on the Eels early in the 2004 season and was eventually granted permission to play for his hometown club of Wee Waa for the bulk of that season, then St Helens.

Three clubs - Manly, Penrith and Newcastle - are waiting to try to win the signature of Lyon after it seemed only two months ago that he would return to Parramatta in 2007.

Lyon had been in contact with the Eels and expressed an interest in returning, which sparked negotiations between the club and the player's manager, George Mimis, but Lyon apparently then went cold on the idea.

The familiarity Lyon has with the Cleal family has made Manly favourites, now that Lyon is close to being free to make a decision.