Coach Brad Arthur insists Clint Gutherson's fullback spot is secure and that Parramatta are still in the early stages of finding an "X-factor" utility who could serve as his understudy.
Gutherson and Arthur have met to discuss the three spots that remain in the Eels' top-30 roster, with the co-captain suggesting Parramatta could seek out another fullback.
The Eels lack depth at the back and Arthur said on Tuesday that if injury were to strike down Gutherson mid-game, the best option would currently be to move halfback Mitch Moses to fullback and his son Jake into the halves.
"That's not what's best for our team, moving Mitchell around," Arthur said.
Parramatta are exploring the possibility of finding a player who could not only serve as an injury replacement, but also add attacking value from more than one position as the Eels seek a drought-breaking premiership.
The discussion between Gutherson and Arthur became the subject of media attention this week, leading to speculation the co-captain could be dethroned from the fullback spot.
Arthur rejected such claims, saying the selection process was still in the preliminary phase and that any new recruit would be unlikely to dislodge Gutherson from his preferred position.
"It'd be very hard to get a fullback better than him," Arthur said.
"He's often joked that if you can get me 'Teddy' (James Tedesco), I'll play in the centres.
"It might be a centre-winger that can play a bit of fullback, it might be a fullback that can play a bit of centre-wing, it might be a fullback that can play a bit in the halves.
"Whenever I'm the coach of this club, (Gutherson) will be our captain and that's all there is to it.
"He's an integral part of our team. We can make it a big story if we want or we can just tell the truth, which is that he's our fullback."
Arthur defended his decision to involve Gutherson in recruitment discussions, saying he would often seek input from his players when scoping out targets.
"(The Eels players) play against these blokes every week. They often know their training attitude or what sort of people they're like," he said.
"'Gutho' knows exactly what style of footy I like to coach and what we need from our players, so I involve him to get his opinion."
Gutherson downplayed the public interest in the Eels' latest recruitment drive.
"I said to Brad I'd be happy to do anything to win games of footy, as would anyone else in the team, wherever you're playing," he said on Sky Sports Radio
"It's been blown out of proportion.
"I'm only getting into the best part of my career now. It's going to be hard to find someone to replace me."
Arthur did not put a dollar figure on the Eels' budget, but the likes of Gold Coast youngster Jayden Campbell, rugby convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Canberra playmaker Jack Wighton could all fit the bill for Parramatta.
Campbell is stuck behind AJ Brimson in the fullback stakes at the Titans, while Tuivasa-Sheck's New Zealand Rugby contract expires at the end of the year.
However, a Sydney Morning Herald report this week threw doubt over Tuivasa-Sheck's desire to return to the NRL.
Meanwhile, Wighton told the Raiders on Tuesday he would test the open market, despite having a player option to remain at the club through 2024.
"They're going to make sure if it does happen it's going to be the right player," Gutherson said.
"From all I've heard, there's been no talks with anyone else yet."
