Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is more comfortable talking about the recruit that is rather than the big-name recruit that may be.

While Danny Wicks prepares to play his first NRL game in five years following jail time, speculation is rife that Manly five-eighth Keiran Foran is close to confirming a four-year, $4.7 million deal this week to switch to NRL rivals the Eels from next season.

Arthur, a former assistant coach at Manly, admitted on Thursday he’s been in contact with Foran, but pressed by journalists over the reports Foran was on the verge of announcing the long-term deal, he had his poker face on.

“Nah, there’s nothing to tell,” said Arthur bluntly.

There’s no contract done?

“No.”

Don’t want to touch it?

“I don’t comment on recruitment unfortunately.”

Why not?

“It’s just my policy.”

Arthur was, conversely, happy to chat about former Newcastle forward Wicks, who will line up against Canterbury on Friday night after serving an 18-month jail term for drug trafficking.

“Danny will get his opportunity if he comes through training well today and we are looking forward to seeing how he goes,” Arthur said.

“He has trained really well through the off season and I am really excited to give him an opportunity to play.

“Danny is pretty much old school, very tough, good leg speed for a front rower but he is one of those blokes that you know the boys just want to play with.

“We will probably only give him 20 minutes just to get him through his first game.”

Wicks will take the place of Junior Paulo who was outed for nine weeks for a dangerous throw at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.