An unprecedented number of NRL stars are out of contract at the end of the season, but many my find it hard to earn themselves a new deal elsewhere.

The salary cap restrictions are biting hard in the economic recession Down Under and whereas before players could move to the UK to earn a bit of money and extend their careers, new regulations over here mean that players have to pay up to 50% income tax on their earnings.

It means the days of Australians coming over here on lucrative deals at the back end of their careers are virtually in the past.

Rules on homegrown players in Super League further restrict the chances for stars to move over here - although the presence of Celtic Crusaders means a handful of Australians will be handed the chance to help them in their development.

The list of 109 out of contract players includes some big names - Darren Lockyer, Karmichael Hunt and Matt Orford to name but three - and with clubs now able to talk to out of contract stars, there could well be some player movement announcements in the next few weeks. Another big name is that of Sydney full back Anthony Minichello, who not so many years ago was named the world's best player.

Melbourne's former Parramatta scrum-half Brett Finch has been heavily linked to a move to the UK, while Gold Coast Titans back Chris Walker revealed this week that he has turned down the offer of a new deal there, and is set to sign a two-year deal with an unnamed English club.

With the salary cap set to be reduced in the National Leagues, there isn't even the option of playing in the second tier for imports - as players such as David Peachey (Widnes), Awen Guttenbeil (Castleford) and Corey Lawrie (Doncaster) have done in recent years.

St Helens have already swooped for Sydney's Sio Soliola and Hull have signed Craig Fitzgibbon; but the duo are just part of a mere handful of imports set to land on these shores for 2010.

Who else will join them?

Well, Manly half back Matt Orford has been strongly linked with Warrington, although the news that Michael Monaghan will be staying at the Halliwell Jones Stadium next season - and the persistent rumours linking Richie Myler to the Wolves - makes it hard to imagine where Orford would fit in.

Heath L'estrange has been linked with Bradford, Celtic and Hull KR, while the Crusaders are also said to be in the hunt for Chris Walker.

There are a number of players who have already played in the northern hemisphere - Broncos hooker Aaron Gorrell impressed during a two-year stint with Catalans Dragons; Scott Logan had a spell at Wigan while Canterbury's Michael Sullivan has previously played for Warrington.

Lebanon half-back George Ndaira is also out of contract, and he attracted the interest of a sprinkling of UK clubs following his eye-catching performances in the World Cup qualifying series.

It means that for the remaining games of the season their existing clubs will hopefully be getting top-quality performances from their stars who are vying to earn a contract for 2010.

It's certainly an interesting time for player movement in the NRL, but just how many will end up in the UK?

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The players out of contract list in full:

Broncos: Darren Lockyer, Karmichael Hunt, Aaron Gorrell, Alex Gleen, John Te eo, Nick Emmett

Bulldogs: Daryl Millard, Michael Sullivan, Brent Crisp, Charlie Leaeno, Brad Morrin, Danny Williams, Yileen Gordon, Daniel Holdsworth, John Kite

Cowboys: Matt Scott, Ben Vaeau, Ty Williams, Shannon Hegarty, Anthony Watts, Scott Bolton, Grant Rovelli, Dayne Weston, Shane Tronc, Sam Faust

Dragons: Dan Hunt, Michael Lett, Mickey Paea, Ricky Thorby

Eels: Jeff Robson, Todd Lowrie, Joe Galuvao, Junior Paulo, Josh Cordoba, Jeremy Latimore, Taulima Tautai

Knights: Richard Fa'aoso, Luke MacDougall, Shannon McDonnell, George Ndaira, Cameron Ciraldo, Keith Lulia, Cooper Vuna

Panthers: Matthew Bell, Keith Peters, Paul Aiton, Geoff Daniela, Frank Puletua, Junior Moors, Joseph Paulo, Gavin Cooper, Maurice Blair

Rabbitohs: David Kidwell, Michael Greenfield, Scott Geddes, Jamie Simpson, Eddie Paea, Beau Falloon

Raiders: Nigel Plum, Scott Logan, Phil Graham

Roosters: Rohan Ahern, Anthony Minichello, Mitchell Aubusson, Anthony Charrington

Sea Eagles: Matt Orford, Heath L'Estrange, Vic Mauro, Shane Neumann

Sharks: Brett Kearney, Bryan Norrie, Tony Caine, Mitch Brown, Ben Ross, Ian Donnelly, Blake Green, Luke Covell, Grant Millington, Jacob Selmes, Jayson Bukuya, Bronx Goodwin, Misi Taulapap

Storm: Steve Turner, Dane Nielson, Matt Cross, Brett Finch

Tigers: Danny Galea, Josh Lewis, Peni Tagive, Dean Collis, Dene Halatau

Titans: Aaron Cannings, Matthew White, Ben Jeffery, Brenton Bowen, Brett Delaney, Daniel Conn, Chris Walker, Esi Tonga

Warriors: Patrick Ah Van, Lewis Brown, Aidan Kirk, Stacey Jones