Parramatta co-captain Nathan Hindmarsh doesn't want Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper at the NRL club.

Despite claiming he still has unfinished business in rugby union - most notably next year's World Cup in New Zealand - Cooper continues to be linked to a big-money cross-code switch to the Eels in 2011.

Hindmarsh on Sunday said he was unaware of any negotiations between Cooper and Parramatta but, regardless, the veteran back-rower made it clear he could do without the classy five-eighth at the Eels.

"I'd like to stick with someone in the league ranks, to be honest," Hindmarsh told Triple M radio.

"That's just my opinion. Whether or not it's true or not that they (Eels management) are chasing him.

"There's been a bit of talk in the paper that we are, but (I'm) not too sure, to be honest with you."

Like Australian Rugby Union boss John O'Neill, Hindmarsh suspected newspaper reports that Cooper was considering a move to the NRL was merely a negotiation stunt designed to bump up his price tag.

"I suppose it's a bit of a bargaining chip for Quade himself, isn't it?" said Hindmarsh, who will almost certainly assume sole captaincy of Parramatta next season after Nathan Cayless retires from the

NRL.

"If league's following him, then rugby are probably going to spend a little bit more to keep him."

O'Neill agreed that Cooper deserved an upgraded contract and was confident of nutting out a deal in the coming fortnight that would keep the 22-year-old gamebreaker in the rugby ranks.

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