Austin has sought a release from the Wests Tigers this week to join the Raiders, with Canberra anticipating an official answer by the end of the week.

Austin joined the Tigers from Penrith only this season and has a year remaining on his contract at the club. But the 23-year-old wants to join the Raiders in 2015 to give his career stability and for the opportunity to establish himself as an NRL five-eighth.

Having played only 15 NRL matches in his first three seasons at the Panthers, Austin revived his NRL career at the Tigers this season and filled a utility role at the club, playing halfback, fullback, hooker and five-eighth in his 19 appearances.

But there are obvious roadblocks in Austin's path at the Tigers. The Tigers are banking on emerging players Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses as their halves combination of the future, given the retirement of veteran Braith Anasta. The Tigers have also locked in Tedesco as their preferred fullback, having re-signed him mid-season after he reneged on a three-year deal to join the Raiders.

Now the Raiders are relying on a Tigers decision in the hope Austin can fix their halves dilemma.

While there is some understandable pessimism in Raiders ranks that the deal will eventuate, given the players that have rejected their advances this year, Austin wants to be in Canberra. It's understood he has rejected interest from the Sharks.

The halves is the biggest trouble-spot for the Raiders next year, exacerbated by the departure of Anthony Milford to the Brisbane Broncos.

Milford finished the season at five-eighth, alongside rookie Mitch Cornish. The future of Raiders skipper Terry Campese remains clouded, although the veteran playmaker is likely to start next year in NSW Cup if he does remain at the club.

Halfback Josh McCrone has reverted to the bench in a utility hooking role, while the Raiders will almost certainly bring back Sam Williams to the club to provide more depth in the halves.

After being unable to attract marquee players to the club, the Raiders are starting to build their roster for next year. Austin will join Melbourne Storm winger Sisa Waqa and English Super League duo Josh Hodgson and Iosia Soliola at the club.

The Raiders remain in the market for more recruits before next year, but a lot could depend on clubs shedding players due to salary cap restrictions.

The Raiders have declared informal interest in Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman, should the 26-year-old be forced out because of salary cap pressure. That decision is not likely until after the Broncos finish in the NRL finals.

The Raiders have also been linked with former Australian and NSW State of Origin winger Akuila Uate, but any deal would have to be heavily subsidised by his current club, the Newcastle Knights, given he is on a contract worth reportedly $500,000 a season. Injury has restricted Uate to 15 NRL games this season and saw the emergence of the Mata'utia brothers at the Knights.

Manly veteran Brett Stewart is another potential target, but he would need a release from the Sea Eagles and the Raiders would need to weigh up whether they could meet the 29-year-old's wish for a three-year deal.