Former Test star Jamie Lyon is one step closer to a representative reprieve with NSW Country declaring they won't select the disinterested Manly centre this year.

Lyon applied for and was denied a representative exemption by the Australian Rugby League this year and if selected by any teams - Australia, NSW or NSW Country - then he must play or be banned from NRL football for that week.

The 27-year-old has voiced his desire not to be picked in rep teams and those views have convinced NSW Country with general manager Terry Quinn confirming Lyon won't be considered for the May 8 clash with NSW City in Orange.

"If he does not want to play for us we would not be interested in him," said Quinn.

"We will look for players that want to put in and be part of the team.

"We would not consider him under those circumstances.

"We are quite impressed with some of those young guys coming through anyway

"There are some good young kids out there."

With NSW Country likely to overlook Lyon it takes him closer to being left out of representative football altogether in 2009 as it is expected the City-Country duel will have a huge influence on the NSW State of Origin team for game one on June 3.

Form Bulldogs centre Josh Morris, St George Illawarra's Matt Cooper are a likely centre combination for NSW Country with Newcastle's Akuila Uate and Penrith's Michael Gordon among the young contenders for wing positions.

With NSW facing a fourth straight series defeat, Lyon has urged selectors to look at the rising stars of the game like Penrith's Michael Jennings and Wests Tigers' Chris Lawrence, who will most likely play for NSW City.

Lyon said his decision was not a snub to Test and Origin jumpers, but rather a lifestyle choice to spend more time with his young family.

"I've had my time there and I'm getting a bit older now and I would rather just concentrate on my family and let some younger guys out in the NRL get a crack," said Lyon.

"There will be a lot of blokes jumping at the opportunity and I think it would be wrong of me to stop some players like that.

"They're playing well and their form is up to scratch.

"I think they should definitely blood a few players. They have some really good centres out there at the moment."

NSW coach Craig Bellamy said Lyon remained available for Origin selection and would be chosen by selectors if he was the best player for the job.

"It's not all my decision," said Bellamy.

"If we want him in the team, well if he does not want to be in the team then he is going to miss time with Manly.

"That will be a thing worked out down the track."

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