Matt Peet confident Kai Pearce-Paul will remain a Wigan player in 2023

Wigan coach Matt Peet believes sought-after centre Kai Pearce-Paul will still be at the Warriors next season despite reports linking him with the NRL.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to NRL side Newcastle Knights for months now. Newcastle Herald journalist Barry Toohey suggested that he thinks Pearce-Paul could be at the club in 2023, despite still being contracted to Wigan.

Still 24 at this stage but I’ll be surprised if Wigan don’t do a deal with the Knights to release Pearce-Paul early. https://t.co/rEu4lVwcuH

— Barry Toohey (@BarryToohey) June 10, 2022

Wigan coach Matt Peet is confident that Pearce-Paul will still be at the Super League club in 2023.

He said: “The only update I can really give is that next year he is contracted and will be a Wigan player.

“100% he is with us and that’s the one thing in our control at the moment. The fact is, is that he’s under contract at that won’t change.”

Pearce-Paul has been out of action since the back end of March due to injury. However, he could return for the Warriors in their next game against Toulouse on June 24 following the international break.

“Toulouse is a chance,” Peet said when asked about Pearce-Paul’s impending return.

“Toulouse or Wakefield. It looks to me as though he is flying in training but you’ve got to have all the secondary checks and scans. He is going to be a great asset to us when he comes back.”

The 6ft 5in centre or back-rower joined Wigan on a four-year deal from London Broncos ahead of the 2020 campaign. He has represented England Knights on the international stage, but has yet to make an appearance for Shaun Wane’s senior side.

Peet expressed his delight to see England international Liam Farrell sign a new three-year deal with his