Eals coach shuts down talk of early Brown exit

Their on-field woes have summed up a difficult start to life under Ryles, with the Eels having finished last on both other occasions this century they started with four losses.

That in itself has been overshadowed by Brown's impending exit, after he agreed a $13 million deal to join Newcastle for 10 years next season.

The five-eighth had one moment of real threat on Sunday, but has otherwise struggled to make a match-defining impact without Mitch Moses next to him.

The Eels' start even prompted club great Nathan Hindmarsh to question last week if Parramatta should release Brown early, claiming he was offering little for the club.

In turn, that would potentially allow Parramatta to move pieces of the salary cap around and allow for greater spending power in their rebuild.

But Ryles said that was not a consideration for the Eels.

"That has not been discussed for a second at our club," he said.

"I'll let you know if it ever gets discussed. Dylan plays for Parramatta until the end of the year. If anything changes, I'll let you know.

"Dylan is contracted until the end of the year as our five-eighth, and at this stage that hasn't changed."

Newcastle CEO Phillip Gardner previously said Newcastle could not accommodate Brown any earlier, such is the tight nature of their cap.

But the Knights freed up a little room on Monday agreeing to release back-up playmaker Will Pryce, who was on an estimated $400,000 salary this season.

The Knights now appear in a better financial position to offer Brown a deal should the Eels change their position.

Englishman Pryce played five games with the Knights last season and will return home for an opportunity in the Super League.

Parramatta had always felt this year could be a tough initiation under Ryles, who has completely overhauled the club's offensive and defensive systems.

Their roster is also at an awkward point, with several older off-contract players taking up salary-cap space in NSW Cup while youngsters are blooded in the NRL.

Second-rower Shaun Lane had warned a fortnight ago that it could take all year for the Eels to click, but insisted it would be worth staying the course in the long run.

Ryles also remains adamant they are on the right track.

"It's not slower (than I expected), it's not faster, it's just the way it is," Ryles said.

"We're doing it for periods, but we just can't do it for long enough.

"I'm frustrated, but I'm frustrated because I've seen how much work the players have done and I can see the little green shoots and that coming through. 

"That's the frustrating bit. They're working hard, they're a really good group of players in regards to their desire to get better and their work ethic.

"It's small steps."