Parramatta club captain Tim Mannah has cautiously welcomed reports the Eels will avoid a four-point premiership points penalty ahead of the new season due to their salary cap dramas.

The Eels have worked hard in the off season to overhaul their governance structure in order to avoid the punishment over problems with their cap last season.

The NRL will hand down their official findings on Monday.

Mannah stopped short of celebrating the news.

“I have pretty much stayed out of the process the whole time because as a playing group there is not much we can do about it, “Mannah told AAP.

“Obviously it would be nice if we are in the clear but until it is official I can’t say too much.

“But no team wants to start four points behind; we have worked really hard in the off season and we are really looking forward to the season ahead.”

Eels boss John Boulous declined to comment on the reports but told AAP the club was “happy with the way talks with the NRL were progressing”.

The Eels host Brisbane at Parramatta Stadium next Thursday in the highly-anticipated season opener, with great expectations weighing on the home side ahead of the new NRL season.

“There is a bit of a buzz at the place – the fans are excited. We might have a good team on paper but we have to back that up on the field we know that,” Mannah said.

Kieran Foran will spearhead the Eels charge as they seek to return to the finals for the first time since their 2009 grand final appearance.

“He is a cool headed guy he has been in the spotlight for a long time, he has a thick skin and he knows how to handle the expectations,” Mannah said.

“He is a key player for us, he is a leader and he speaks by his action.

“I’m looking forward to getting out there with him.”