by Our Sports Desk

Six clubs expressed an interest in signing reigning Man of Steel Zak Hardaker yesterday, who looks to have played his last match for Leeds.

The 24-year-old England full-back is currently on a short-term loan deal with Australian club Penrith Panthers after being granted his wish to play in the NRL but remains contracted to the Rhinos to the end of 2019.

However, Leeds say they have planned for 2017 without Hardaker, who remains on the transfer list with a £300,000 price tag.

He has been playing regularly as a substitute for the Panthers and is in their squad for Sunday’s elimination play-off match against Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney.

According to Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington, Penrith have first refusal on the player’s services for 2017 but it is understood that two NRL clubs have expressed an interest, along with four from Super League, which is his expected destination.

The Super League quartet are thought to include Hull KR, where director of rugby Jamie Peacock is a former Leeds teammate.

Hardaker scored 67 tries in 155 games for Leeds since joining them from Featherstone in 2011 and was named Man of Steel last October.

However, he has been dogged by off-field issues in his time at Headingley. He received a fine and club written warning after pulling out of England’s 2013 World Cup squad and was dropped for a match at the start of last season following a police investigation into an incident at student accommodation in Leeds.

He played his final game for Leeds in a 32-6 win at Wakefield in June before moving to Penrith in exchange for hooker James Segeyaro.