Tigers veteran Lawrence faces uncertain future

West Tigers veteran Chris Lawrence has an uncertain future at the club, leading to a testy exchange with chief executive Justin Pascoe.

Lawrence is out of contract at the end of this season and is yet to be offered a new deal with the Tigers, according to Fox Sports.

The 239-game player has been public with his desire to play on next season yet he has reportedly not received a clear answer from the Tigers on whether he will be given the opportunity to do so at the club.

The 30-year-old made his debut in 2006 and may face a farewell game against Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval should the club not come to terms with the fan-favourite.

Fox League reporter James Hooper told NRL 360 that the uncertain situation surrounding Lawrence had spilled over into a confrontation between Lawrence and Tigers management.

"I think you’ll find there were some heated words exchanged (on Wednesday) between Chris Lawrence and the Tigers’ CEO Justin Pascoe as a result of a report that made it’s way into the media last night," said Hooper.

"But I think you’ll find today that they’ve thrashed it out. Justin Pascoe has made it clear to Chris Lawrence that’s he’s an extremely valued member of the team. But because of the salary cap jam that the Tigers are in this season, there’s still some work to be done before they can properly table him the offer they want to."

Hooper said he expects the Tigers will only need to table an offer in the range of $140,000 in order to resign Lawrence, however, NRL 360 host Paul Kent believed Lawrence's time may be up.

"My experience with the game is when players like this have been asking what’s going on with my contract and it’s taking months and they’re not getting an answer, it generally doesn’t arrive," Kent said.

"Coaches generally stretch it out to the end of the season before they deliver the hammer."

Lawrence and the Tigers will go into Sunday's match against the Cronulla Sharks as slight underdogs as the club looks to keep its finals hopes alive.