Sean O’Loughlin ‘hopefully’ staying at Wigan in 2019

Wigan captain Sean O’Loughlin said he will hopefully be staying at his hometown club next year, despite interest from Leeds.

The 35-year-old’s contract with the Warriors was set to expire at the end of the season and Leeds Rhinos were interested in singing him for next term.

But O’Loughlin has admitted that it is very likely that he will be staying at Wigan in 2019.

“Hopefully it will get sorted soon and I will be staying at Wigan hopefully,” he told Sky Sports.

“With me where I am in my career now, the contracts get sorted at the end of the season rather than the beginning.”

England face New Zealand in a three-match test series this autumn, with the first game taking place in Hull on Saturday.

O’Loughlin was coached by current Kiwis chief Michael Maguire at Wigan in 2010 and 2011, and O’Loughlin speaks highly of his former boss.

He said: “Mags is a great coach, I played under him in 2010 and 2011 at Wigan.

“This is Mags’ first full tour with the side. He coached them in Denver earlier on in the season when they played against us but he has had a few months now to put his spin on the side and get to know the lads better, so they will be better on the back of his coaching.

“When you get to this standard at national level then all the sides are good and they can turn you over if you are not on your game.”