TIM SMITH'S manager, David Riolo, says the former Parramatta halfback is unlikely to resume his NRL career with the New Zealand Warriors next season.

It emerged in the wake of Canberra's sacking of halfback Todd Carney last week that Smith, who joined English club Wigan Warriors after revealing he had bipolar disorder and quitting the NRL earlier this season, could switch to the New Zealand Warriors, creating the possibility that Carney could slot in at the UK club.

Both players have had a history of alcohol-related incidents and the NRL has said it won't register a contract for Carney for 2009. Riolo, who manages both players, yesterday confirmed he had been contacted by the Warriors, adding: "I've spoken to them about Tim. I haven't received an offer from them.

"They wanted to know his status for next year and I said he'd look at it, but I think Tim will stay in England for 2009.

"He's enjoying it over there and I think he's happy to be out of the NRL limelight for the time being.

"I've only spoken to Tim briefly about it. He was preparing for a game and I didn't want to distract him from that. I'll have a longer chat to him during the week, but he seems to be playing well and is getting more and more game time with Wigan.

"He is contracted to Wigan until the end of 2009, with an option for 2010. I think we would be able to work something out with Wigan if he wanted to come home at the end of this year, but I don't know if it will come to that."

Smith, who had been coming off the bench for Wigan, started for them for the first time in an away game against Catalans Dragons early yesterday (Sydney time). He threw the pass to set up a late try that gave fifth-placed Wigan a 16-16 draw with their third-placed opposition.

Riolo is continuing to look for options for Carney, who was shattered when the Raiders axed him on Thursday. "There's nothing doing at this stage," Riolo said. "It doesn't happen overnight. I'm making plenty of calls, but Todd also needs a bit of time to get his head clear at this stage."

Still on halfbacks, Gold Coast coach John Cartwright is expected to confirm today that 16-year-old year 11 student Jordan Rankin will make his first-grade debut for the Titans in tonight's game against Newcastle.

Cartwright said last night he planned to discuss the situation with his coaching staff and senior players, but admitted he was leaning heavily towards selecting the youngster on the bench in the match at Skilled Park.

"I'm just going to sleep on it and then talk to the coaching staff and players in the morning," he said. "I'll have a chat to Jordan, too, but playing him is the way I'm looking to go.

"I just want to be sure in my mind that I'm not asking too much of him. Mentally, he's switched on. He's as keen as mustard. But, physically, while he's tall enough, he's still a boy who hasn't filled out yet, so he would be tested out by the opposition. But he is a first-grader of the future. He has starred in the Toyota Cup after coming up from our SG Ball side. He's lightning quick and very skilful and he's pretty confident that he can do the job for us."

The Titans are without halfback Scott Prince, who hasn't played since breaking his arm playing for Queensland in State of Origin III, and five-eighth Mat Rogers, who is suspended. Ashley Harrison will start at five-eighth and Josh Lewis at halfback.

Three players face the possibility of being charged by the league's match review committee as a result of incidents in the game between St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers on Friday.

Tigers prop Todd Payten could face a couple of games out for a lifting tackle, while Dragons second-rower Lagi Setu might miss a game for a high tackle. Video will be checked to see whether Dragons hooker Dean Young used a forearm in a tackle.

THE RUN HOME

¡ Manly: Rabbitohs (a), Tigers (a), Titans (h), Panthers (a)

¡ Melbourne: Roosters (h), Panthers (a), Knights (a), Rabbitohs (h)

¡ Cronulla: Warriors (a), Roosters (h), Tigers (a), Cowboys (h)

¡ Roosters: Storm (a), Sharks (a), Rabbitohs (h), Dragons (h)

¡ Brisbane: Dragons (h), Titans (h), Bulldogs (a), Knights (h)

¡ Canberra: Knights (h), Rabbitohs (a), Cowboys (a), Bulldogs (h)

¡ St George Illawarra: Broncos (a), Warriors (h), Eels (h), Roosters (a)

¡ Wests Tigers: Eels (a), Sea Eagles (h), Sharks (h), Titans (a)

¡ NZ Warriors: Sharks (h), Dragons (a), Panthers (h), Eels (a)

¡ Penrith: Bulldogs (h), Storm (h), Warriors (a), Sea Eagles (h)

¡ Newcastle: Titans (a), Raiders (a), Cowboys (h), Storm (h), Broncos (a)

¡ Parramatta: Tigers (h), Bulldogs (a), Dragons (a), Warriors (h)

¡ Gold Coast: Knights (h), Cowboys (a), Broncos (a), Sea Eagles (a), Tigers (h)