https://www.theherald.com.au/story/...et-to-be-offered-a-new-deal-for-2019/?cs=2503
The uncertainty surrounding the future of Ken Sio is set to be resolved with the club ready to offer the Newcastle Knights winger a contract extension.
Sio met with recruitment boss Troy Pezet last Friday and was told he was in the Knights plans for next season despite the signing of Cronulla winger Edrick Lee to bolster Newcastle’s depth in the outside backs.
There had been suggestions Sio could be squeezed out but Pezet told the
Newcastle Herald he is still in the club’s plans for 2019.
"I caught up with Kenny Sio late last week for a chat and we will be making him an offer,” Pezet said.
“He's a good pro Kenny. He’s a goal-kicker, a good finisher and a good fella and we'd like him to stay.
"He trains well, the boys like him and he is well respected right throughout the club so hopefully, we can get something done there.”
It’s understood Pezet was due to meet with Sio’s manager Sam Ayoub yesterday to kick off negotiations.
Sio, who is just two games shy of bringing up 100 NRL games, has previously made no secret of his desire to remain at the club and told the
Newcastle Herald earlier this year that even if he was forced to continue his NRL career elsewhere, he would bring his family back to Newcastle to live when he finished up.
“Whatever happens with my footy, we’ll be coming back here to Newcastle to live when it’s all over,”he said back in April.
“The family loves it here and my partner [Victoria] has a good job. This is where we want to settle down long-term. Hopefully, there will be no reason to have to leave.”
It now appears there won’t be provided Sio and the Knights can reach a financial deal that satisfies both parties.
After being over-looked for the opening four NRL games this year, a season-ending knee injury to Tautau Moga against St George Illawarra gave Sio his chance in round 5 and he played the final 20 games in the top grade.
He finished as the club’s leading try-scorer and points scorer with 12 tries and 98 points.
Meanwhile, young centre Cory Denniss’ future remains clouded with an agreement yet to be reached.
The Knights made an offer to Denniss months ago but it was rejected with his manager Gavin Orr opting to test his value in the marketplace.
"I met with Gavin last Sunday and obviously, we'd like Cory to stay,” Pezet said.
"He is a good local kid that's come through Matts, Ball and Under 20's right through to first grade and it would be good for him to stay here and I'm sure Cory wants to stay.
“We’ll keep talking.”