Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien insists Mitchell Pearce is part of the club's future as rumours about the halfback's plans continue to swirl.
Pearce is contracted to the Knights until the end of next season, but in recent weeks he has been linked to his former club the Sydney Roosters, where he played 11 NRL seasons.
Expectations of a possible return were heightened after Roosters halfback Kyle Flanagan was released to join the Bulldogs on a three-year deal.
But O'Brien says he will meet with Pearce soon to discuss extending his contract.
"He's got a business and a wedding to plan at the moment," O'Brien said.
"I've assured him the club will be sitting down with him to work out his future, which I'm sure is going to be here with the Knights.
"We want him here and he's an important part of this club — I don't know how much more clearer I can be on that."
Pay cut chat hosed down
Reports had suggested Pearce – one of the club's highest-paid players – would be asked to take a pay cut, but O’Brien said there were measures in place to manage the salary cap.
He said the negotiation was about looking beyond next year and making sound decisions.
"That's why we're not rushing into anything until we can sit down with Mitchell and find out where he sees things and then where we see things," O'Brien said.
"It's just a matter of taking baby steps.
"When he comes back and everybody is comfortable we'll sit down and get it done.
"He's on contract for next year — it will certainly be done before then."
Despite the media reports, O’Brien is confident Pearce will remain at the Knights.
"With only the one game to talk about last week I think it's easy for most journalists to jump on the back of this story," he said.
"It seems to be one article feeding the other."
