Canberra Raider Anthony Milford says he has nothing to be concerned about after the Brisbane Broncos-bound star met with NRL salary-cap investigators last week.
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The 20-year-old was quizzed by officials in Sydney last Wednesday, but says his two-year deal with the Broncos is not in jeopardy.
It is understood the Raiders are closely monitoring the Broncos' salary-cap situation with great interest, and are of the belief players will be squeezed out.
The NRL is investigating claims the Broncos allegedly overspent the cap by about $450,000 in the past three years. Other players lured to the club this season, Ben Barba and Martin Kennedy, were among those interviewed about their deals.
Raiders chairman Allan Hawke said last week they would consider taking back Milford if the Broncos had to shed talent, saying ''if he's still available, certainly we won't turn our back on him''.
"Yeah it's a relief [meeting with investigators is over], but I had nothing to worry about anyway,'' Milford said. "I haven't been worried. I'm solely focussed on the Raiders and that's been my main goal the whole year, trying to finish off here as best I can.
"I'm just glad to get it out of the way and I want to make the last three weeks here as memorable as I can with these boys.
Canberra is desperate to lure a fullback to replace Milford. The Broncos already have Josh Hoffman, Ben Barba and Milford for next season, and Darius Boyd may join them.
Prop Josh McGuire has also been reported as a possible target, although he is not off contract until the end of next year.
Canberra faces equal-last Cronulla in Sydney on Sunday, and the loser will be outright wooden-spoon favourites.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said the team's fortunes ''ain't going to change'' until they sign representative players during a passionate news conference after last week's loss to St George Illawarra.
Canberra centre Jack Wighton said it had not hit the confidence of the players, but instead motivated them to prove a point to Stuart.
"You can't take it in a bad way, you've got to use it to better yourself and try and move forward,'' Wighton said. "We definitely all have to step up as a team, and as young fellas take a bit of ownership for what's going on, and give our all the rest of the year.
"Definitely as a footy player and a club no one ever wants to get the wooden spoon, it's been a difficult year. It hasn't really come up, although I guess it's always in the back of your mind. It's more playing for a bit of pride to finish the year.''
Former Raiders captain Alan Tongue said Stuart's comments would not deflate the team.
"Ricky's just being honest, they probably are a bit skinny on the roster,'' Tongue said. "He would have talked to a lot of the players and they would all agree with it. They know the situation they're in. All the players know it, I don't think there will be any problems with players or anything like that.
"In the end they know that's reality, he's praised their effort and how close they are.''
