Pearce’s number up at the Roosters?

Mitchell Pearce should go to another NRL club if the Sydney Roosters sign Cooper Cronk.

That would be Michael Ennis’s advice to the Roosters’ current No.7 as speculation continues around the departing Melbourne playmaker’s future.

With Cronk expected to announce this week whether he will continue playing or retire, Ennis urged Pearce not to settle on playing out of his natural position at halfback.

The Roosters have no intention of letting Pearce go even if they land Cronk, and believe they can squeeze him into their salary cap without losing any players.

The problem would be where to play Pearce given Luke Keary had a fine season at five-eighth, and hooker Jake Friend is the club’s co-captain.

“From my experience at Canterbury, as much as I felt as captain that I had found a home, sometimes a change can work out really good for you,” Ennis said.

“Cronulla was the best thing that happened to me.

“If for some reason Mitchell wasn’t comfortable playing alongside Cooper Cronk, which I would find difficult, I’m sure he could go to another club and continue to enjoy his career.”

Asked if Pearce would make it as a No.9, Ennis said: “Look, he probably could.

“We saw Joey (Andrew Johns) do it many years ago.

“But Mitchell is a genuine seven.”

Ennis agreed the mere fact the Roosters had shown interest in Cronk would unsettle Pearce.

“In all fairness they go up against each other in Origin more often than not,” Ennis said.

“I think there would be a lot of disappointment.

“I just mean, at 28, handing over your No.7 jumper and moving to another position would be difficult.”