The jury is still out on whether rugby league bad boy John Hopoate will be reinstated by Manly this year.

Hopoate's 17-game suspension for striking Cronulla forward Keith Galloway expires this weekend, sparking speculation that a struggling Manly may be tempted to use the sacked winger again this season.

The 31-year-old was axed by the team and de-registered in March after copping the lengthy suspension.

The league would have to endorse Hopoate's re-registration and this week NRL chief executive David Gallop told the Sea Eagles they had to "make up their mind" if they wanted the ex-Test winger to play again in 2005.

But Manly chief executive Pat Wilson has not done much to dismiss the speculation, offering only a vague response when asked if Hopoate would be back.

"The only comment we are making at the moment is at this point in time we are not seeking re-registration of John," he said.

Asked if Hopoate could again wear the Sea Eagles jersey in the future, Wilson said: "That's our only comment".

Hopoate has kept fit while eyeing a boxing career and has regularly been seen training with the Sea Eagles.

A Manly spokesman said any decision on Hopoate "would have to come from the board" but that no former request had been made.

But the prospect of re-registration has reportedly formed a rift between some Manly board members and majority shareholder Max Delmege who is a Hopoate supporter.

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