Life without Jarryd Hayne continues for the Parramatta Eels with 2016 looming as a breakout season for the battling club after bringing in a number of NRL stars headed by Kieran Foran, Beau Scott and Michael Gordon.

And the man earmarked for the starting fullback role is former Panther and Shark Gordon.

“I have to earn it first and foremost, I am under no illusions about what I have to do but that is the goal and if I deserve it I deserve it,” Gordon said.

“At the moment I am just here to train hard and do the typical preseason stuff and when we start playing footy hopefully I can cement that spot.”

“There are no guarantees in this sport, I would like to think there are but I learned a long time ago that’s not the case.

“Brad [Arthur] told me he wanted me to play fullback and I have come here to do that but if I don’t play there I am not going to kick up stones or anything like that.

“I am here to earn the respect of my teammates first and then we will see what happens.”