“I’m not 100% sure” – Daryl Powell addresses future of off-contract Warrington forward

Warrington head coach Daryl Powell has hinted that Ellis Longstaff may not be at the Halliwell Jones Stadium upon the expiry of his contract.

The England Knights representative is off-contract at the end of the year and is currently on a season-long loan with Salford.

He has made six appearances in 2023 under Paul Rowley, scoring twice.

Longstaff, 20, has featured 15 times for Warrington since his debut in 2020, going on to feature for Hull FC on loan last year and making a positive impression at the MKM Stadium with six tries in 10 games.

Warrington would be entitled to a fee for Longstaff due to his age and his development through the club’s academy, as previously seen with Jack Croft and Isaac Shaw at Wakefield.

“There’s some of the rules around compensation and things like that that have been discussed,” Powell confirmed to Love Rugby League.

“I’m not 100% sure where Ellis Longstaff will end up.

“I’ll leave that for down the track.

“He’s obviously working through his future where he is at the moment. Obviously, we’ll have a say in that and that’s a discussion for the future, I think.”

Ellis Longstaff among handful to remain off-contract at Warrington

Peter Mata’utia, Greg Minikin and Matty Russell are also off contract at the end of the season, with Powell confirming ongoing negotiations.

“We’ve been talking to players for a fair while now,” the Warrington coach said.

“Those sorts of things will come out in due course.

“At the moment, we’ve created some real stability this year with the re-signing of high quality players and we’ll keep working towards making our squad a really stable one.

“I think that’s really important moving forward.”

Hooker Daryl Clark also remains without a deal, with speculation linking the England international with a move to St Helens to replace the retiring James Roby for 2024, although Powell has previously expressed his desire of retaining the 2014 Man of Steel winner.

Ben Currie pens new long-term deal

Meanwhile, Ben Currie recently signed a new three-year deal in the hopes of remaining a one-club man in his career.

The 28-year-old back-rower has made 245 appearances for Warrington since his debut in 2012, scoring 91 tries.

On his new deal, Currie said: “I’m over the moon to be staying at the club.

“I knew I was coming into the last year of my contract and my intention was to stay if the club came in with an offer which I’m grateful they did. Myself and my family are happy and settled here and to be a one-club man is a long-term ambition for me.

“We’ve had consistency as a left edge this year which has helped my own form when you’re used to playing with the same players either side of you.

“I feel like I’m getting back fit, fast and strong and I’m really enjoying myself out there.

“I’m only 28 but I look around the squad and I’m one of the senior boys now.

“There’s a lot of eyes looking up to me so I need to be setting an example and that leadership aspect is one I enjoy and want to keep growing.”

READ NEXT: St Helens boss responds to Daryl Clark’s transfer links

FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app