The grim reality of salary cap pressure is putting heat on some of Brisbane''''s biggest stars, with either club legend Darren Lockyer or superstar custodian Karmichael Hunt set to be forced out of the club.

It is highly unlikely the Broncos will be able to afford to keep both beyond next season considering the clubs aggressive recruitment policy in recent seasons.

In the past year the Queensland club have signed Ashton Sims, Joel Clinton and Peter Wallace, whose contract was subsequently upgraded and is rumoured to be worth in the vicinity of $1million over the next three seasons.

Add to this the incoming Israel Folau on a rumoured $400 000 a season for the next four years, and Brisbane''''s salary cap struggle becomes painfully apparent.

It''''s unlikely the Broncos would deny Lockyer the opportunity to play on beyond the end of his current deal in 2009 given his standing at the club, leaving Hunt as the probable odd man out.

Adding to the problem is the fact Hunt himself is due for an upgrade when his current contract (believed to be worth around $220 000 a year) expires at the end of next year.

According to Broncos CEO Bruno Cullen, Lockyer''''s situation will be reviewed at season''''s send.

I''''ve had a number of conversations with Locky''''s manager George Mimis over the past two months. I''''ve also had a chat to Locky about his future and to be honest we probably won''''t be talking until the end of the season,'''''''' Cullen told News Limited.

I don''''t wish to comment on Karmichael''''s situation because I haven''''t even spoken to his manager as yet.

In relation to Locky, I''''ve spoken to him about a whole range of things. The main focus for Darren in recent times has been getting him back on the paddock again (after his knee injury).

If Darren wanted to play on (in 2010), obviously we''''d do our best to keep him because he''''s been a wonderful servant for the Broncos. But we''''re not thinking about at the moment. That (a contract extension) is a long way away.''''''''

Brisbane are yet to commence discussions with Hunt''''s manager David Riolo, but the 21-year-old would almost certainly command in excess of $300 000 a season on the open market.

If Darren wanted to play on (in 2010), obviously we''''d do our best to keep him.