The on-field future of the star midfielder remains unclear just weeks out from the start of the season as the Roosters refuse to budge on a contract he signed with the club last year.

Despite Horbury having declared his desire to return to Redan in the Ballarat Football League for 2015, the Roosters named him as one of their senior players in a squad submitted to The Courier for publication on Wednesday.

“At this point, he remains a North player and hopefully between Nathan and the club we can work through to see that transpire in both parties’ best interests,” North Ballarat chief executive Mark Patterson said.

Patterson said Horbury had not been seen around his club this year, but maintained the contract system was one that needed to be taken seriously.

“We believe it’s a really important aspect of the competition and the sport. We believe that there are avenues we need to pursue to ensure that contracts remain an important part of our game,” he said.

Horbury has been the subject of much discussion since declaring his desire to return to the Lions, which he crossed to from Mount Clear after graduating from junior football.