Campese, who missed the club's annual presentation without explanation, was a no-show again when the Raiders began preparations for 2015 on Wednesday.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner said Campese, via his manager Jim Banaghan, had requested an extra month's leave on Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours before training resumed.

The Raiders would not disclose reasons for Campese's request, but Furner said he had personally checked on Campese's welfare several times in the off-season.

Stuart denied suggestions the Raiders had advised Campese to take the extra time away, stating "we're not squeezing him out".

Campese's future at the Raiders has been clouded ever since the club and his management failed to reach an agreement on a mid-season release to the UK Super League.

Campese finished the season in NSW Cup and is almost resigned to spending most - if not all of 2015 - in reserve grade, unless Banaghan can find him another club, most likely overseas. The difficulty is finding a new club to match his $500,000 deal in Canberra.

Asked if Campese had played his last game for the Raiders, Stuart said: "he's got a contract here, I don't think it's going to be his last game."

Stuart has been overseas for three weeks and hasn't talked to Campese since the Raiders broke for the off-season in early September, but said he would attempt to touch base with him in coming days. Stuart tried to downplay the drama.

"It'd be different if it was Terry's first, second or third year, but it's not, he's been here for a number of years now and he's a experienced senior player, so I'm not disappointed," Stuart said.

"[Furner] went to great lengths yesterday in talking to his manager, Jim Banaghan, about the welfare of Terry and making sure everything's 100 per cent."

Even if Campese does serve the final year of his contract, he's sure to be replaced as captain. Stuart said he had not considered options.

"I've been in this position a number of times whether you go forward with your captain or you try new leadership, but I'll make that decision at the right time when I know who's on deck," Stuart said.

One of the favourites to succeed Campese is Jarrod Croker, who said he would accept the position with pride if ever given the chance.

But Croker is one of Campese's good friends at the club, the pair among a group of Raiders players who holidayed at Mexican party capital Cancun this month. Croker admitted he was shocked by Campese's extended leave, saying the 30-year-old had not given any clue.

"I'm sure he would be in a difficult head-space but he's one of the toughest blokes I know so I'm sure he'll be fine," Croker said.

Furner said the extra leave would not affect Campese's contract and he remains signed until the end of 2015.

Campese has previously vowed to try and fight his way back into the NRL, but he has fallen well down Canberra's pecking order in the halves.

Recruit Blake Austin, from the Wests Tigers, is likely to take over the five-eighth role, while the Raiders also have Mitch Cornish, Sam Williams, Josh McCrone and Jack Wighton as halves options.

There is also doubt over who will fill Canberra's vital fullback and hooker positions. The raiders have signed English representative hooker Josh Hodgson, who will compete with Glen Buttriss at rake. Jack Wighton and Jordan Rapana appear the most likely fullbacks.

"There's no positions guaranteed for anybody, it's a matter of how they get ready over the next three months of work."