Veteran prop Adam Blair says he’s put “lingering” contract talks on hold as he prepares to lead Brisbane into the NRL finals.

Blair is expected to take over the captaincy from injured fullback Darius Boyd in the Broncos’ qualifying final against Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

However, his future at Red Hill is up in the air, with the Warriors, St George Illawarra and Newcastle linked to the New Zealand prop.

Not off contract until 2018, Blair was given permission in August to negotiate with rival clubs for an early release.

No closer to a new deal, Blair said he was keen to stay in Brisbane but had no choice but to switch his attention to the third-placed Broncos’ tilt at a seventh premiership.

Asked about contract talks, Blair said: “It’s lingering around but I have put to it aside at the moment.

“I want to focus on footy at the moment. It will get sorted hopefully soon.

“I just want to play my part for the team.”

Blair looks set to hold on to the captaincy for the time being, with Boyd no guarantee of returning for week two of the finals after going down with a hamstring injury in last week’s win over North Queensland.

“It would be a great honour and achievement to captain the Broncos in such a big match but I haven’t been told,” Blair said.

Forward Tevita Pangai Junior (hamstring) is doubtful for the Roosters clash after being restricted to light duties with Boyd at Tuesday’s training session.

It would be another injury blow to Brisbane, who are already without hooker Andrew McCullough (knee) and prop Korbin Sims (broken arm) for the finals.