Pearce to formally ask for release

THE Mitchell Pearce contract standoff with Newcastle will come to a head in the next 24 hours with the halfback preparing to front Knights coach Adam O’Brien and formally request a release.

Pearce has received a three-year contract offer from UK Super League grand finalists Catalans and will travel from Sydney to Newcastle to meet club powerbrokers.

The Knights coaching staff are still maintaining they intend to hold firm on releasing Pearce until such time as they can find a suitable replacement but the reality is it’s unlikely the 309-game halfback will be at Newcastle next year.

Pearce has refrained from fronting O’Brien until officially receiving the Catalans offer but the issue is now set to come to a head.

The Newcastle board are of a different view to the coaching staff and it’s understood they see no point in holding a player who doesn’t want to be at the club.

The catch will be the Knights are likely to tell Pearce there will need to be some sort of transfer fee paid to the Knights in order to secure the release.

O’Brien quit the Roosters as an assistant coach nine months into a three-year contract.