BRETT Hodgson looks set to leave Warrington Wolves at the end of the current season and Kevin Penny is in line to make a shock return.
Australian 35-year-old full back Hodgson signed a two-year contract extension during the 2012 campaign to keep him in primrose and blue until November 2014.
But it seems the former Wests Tigers player and Exiles skipper will depart alongside Adrian Morley, Garreth Carvell and Mike Cooper when Warrington’s current season ends.
Goalkicking Hodgson remains the only Australian player to have won both of English rugby league’s most prestigious individual honours, the Lance Todd trophy for outstanding performance in a Challenge Cup Final with Wolves in 2012 and Super League’s ‘Man of Steel’ award with Huddersfield Giants in 2009.
His precise distribution when chiming into attack out wide has been a major weapon for Warrington for three seasons.
It is unclear whether the former Giants captain, who will be 36 by the start of next season, will retire or head to another club, with Super League’s newest big spenders, Salford City Reds, understood to be keen on his services.
Former New Zealand captain and prop Roy Asotasi is the only confirmed Wolves signing for 2014, but flying winger Penny is expected to be back on board too.
The Guardian understands a three-year deal is in the pipeline for the Warringtonian, who scored some sensational tries in primrose and blue in 2007 and 2008 but was sent on loan to Widnes Vikings not long after Tony Smith’s arrival as coach in 2009.
Penny left the club in 2010 after a spell helping out Harlequins and he spent 2011 on contract with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
He has been back on loan with Widnes and tried his hand at rugby union with Sale FC.
But playing this year for Wolves’ partner club Swinton Lions under Gary Chambers has meant that the 2007 Dream Team member has been back on Wolves’ radar on a weekly basis.
And it seems that his improvement in the Kingstone Press Championship and his physical development have persuaded the club that he could be the man to inject some speed into their ranks.
Anthony England is also expected to make the leap from the Championship.
As has previously been revealed by the Guardian, the 26-year-old Featherstone Rovers prop has been seen training with Wolves after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.
Any deal to bring him to Warrington, though, would require a transfer fee.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel