The Raiders are stuck in no-man's land.

Stuart is seemingly reluctant to use a big chunk of the NRL squad he inherited from David Furner this season and is unable to blood any more youngsters because of second-tier salary cap restrictions.

More than a third of Canberra’s top-25 NRL squad that counts towards the club’s main $6.3 million salary cap has barely been sighted this season.

Nine members of Canberra's top 25 have played five games or fewer each due to either fitness or form issues. Four of the nine have not been called into NRL action at all.

Those nine have played a total of only 14 games between them.

Former representative prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and recruit Lagi Setu are the most notable of those overlooked completely.

Unwanted prop Sam Mataora was traded to the Newcastle Knights mid-season.

The Raiders, meanwhile, have exhausted their second-tier salary cap by bringing up five players from outside their top-25 NRL squad.

These five have played a total 36 matches.

The Raiders have identified more youngsters they would like to give a chance to before season’s end, but have already been denied an exemption for winger Jeremy Hawkins to make his debut because they are at the limit of their $440,000 second-tier cap.

It effectively places them in a holding pattern as they battle with the Cronulla Sharks and Newcastle Knights to stay clear of the wooden spoon.

Canberra’s squad has undergone a massive transformation in the past year and has not been able to recruit to cover the losses.

Last year the club sacked representative stars Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson, but also turned over a handful of senior players from its NRL squad, including Shaun Berrigan, Sandor Earl, Joe Picker, Joel Thompson and Sam Williams.

The Raiders squad is set to undergo major change. Vice-captain Brett White announced during the week that he would retire at season’s end.

But the make-up of Canberra’s 2015 squad remains a mystery.

Despite having cash to spend and launching an aggressive recruitment campaign, Melbourne winger Sisa Waqa is Stuart's only major addition.

While Raiders fans are desperately calling to see more action by 21-year-old halfback Mitch Cornish in particular, his NSW Cup coach, Mounties mentor Steve Antonelli, backed Stuart’s call to be patient with his development.

Cornish, a former Junior Australian Kangaroos captain, has played three NRL games in his rookie year.

"He needs more time, too," Antonelli said. "He's improving, that's all you can ask for.''

It is understood Stuart would like to give an opportunity to more players outside his top 25 as the 2014 season comes to a close, giving them experience for next year.

Heading that list are outstanding young forwards Tevita Pangai and Junior Kangaroo Patrick Mago. Luke Page, Jordan Rapana, Luke Bateman and Hawkins would also have come under heavy consideration.

Fullback Jack Ahearn is another 21-year-old Antonelli considered a work in progress before being given his NRL opportunity.

"Probably the last two or three weeks he’s started to settle in a bit, but he needs more time in NSW Cup to get him up to speed,'' Antonelli said.

"He's probably come out of the under-20s real confident, but what he did there you can’t do in the [NSW] Cup.''

Pangai, still just 18, was one of the first players re-signed by Stuart when he arrived at the club.

He has been impressive for NSW Cup affiliate Mounties, which thrashed the Warriors 42-4 on Saturday.

"I said to [Stuart] months ago he'll play NRL easy,'' Antonelli said.

"He doesn't get intimidated. I think he'll be more of a middle player than the edge, he loves making the tough carries.''

PLAYERS IN TOP 25

Bill Tupou (400 mins in 5 games)

Edrick Lee 192 mins in 3 games)

Mitch Cornish (62 mins in 3 games)

Matt McIlwrick (75 mins in 2 games)

Jake Foster (66 mins in 1 game)

Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 0 games

Lagi Setu 0 games

Mark Nicholls 0 games

Sam Mataora 0 games

* 9 players (785 mins in 14 games)

PLAYERS OUTSIDE NRL SQUAD USED

Shannon Boyd (321 mins in 15 games)

Matt Allwood (846 mins in 11 games)

Kurt Baptiste (113mins in 4 games)

Brenko Lee (216 mins in 3 games)

Kyle O'Donnell (80 mins in 3 games)

5 players (1576 mins in 36 games)