THE Newcastle Knights are unlikely to revisit the prospect of chasing unsettled superstar Greg Inglis but may be interested if South Sydney prop Roy Asotasi was to become available.

Inglis is poised to complete a stunning move to Redfern after his planned transfer from Melbourne to Brisbane collapsed on Saturday.

Reports yesterday suggested it was virtually a done deal that the Queensland and Test centre would accept a lucrative deal with the Rabbitohs, leaving many to ponder how they can fit him under the salary cap.

There has been speculation that Souths may look to offload skipper Roy Asotasi to accommodate Inglis, and the Knights are in the market for a prop to replace former NSW Origin enforcer Ben Cross, who is joining Leeds Rhinos.

Knights chief executive Steve Burraston denied that Newcastle were one of three clubs other than Souths reportedly interested in Inglis.

"We did originally put an expression of interest into Melbourne and Greg Inglis's manager some months ago, and obviously that wasn't successful for us," Burraston said.

"Right at the moment, we wouldn't have room in the cap is the truthful answer for you.

"We would have to do some shuffling to get him here, and we wouldn't be prepared to do that.

"We're pretty loyal to the players who are already here. I guess for some clubs to fit him in, they'll have to move somebody else on."

If Asotasi was to become a free agent, possibly after a partial payout from Souths, Newcastle would consider their position.

"I haven't spoken to [coach] Rick Stone at this stage, but after losing Crossy, we do have some interest in signing a forward, particularly a front-rower," Burraston said.

"But in saying that, it's a nasty business when a bloke thinks he is playing for a club and he gets diced when somebody else comes along."

Burraston's philosophical objection to "back-ending" contracts is likely to limit Newcastle's options.

This practice would allow Souths to pay Inglis less than his market value next year and then square up the difference by paying "overs" in ensuing seasons. Premiers St George Illawarra used the strategy to sign Mark Gasnier mid-season this year.

"It's a legal loophole that actually allows clubs to have a roster that is way over the salary cap . . . I don't think our club wants to play those games," Burraston said.

Meanwhile, the Knights kick off pre-season training this morning and Stone has no plans to punish his players physically for some weeks.

"We need to be a little bit careful and protect them from themselves," Stone said.

"We'll gradually build into it."