Wakefield Trinity will 'fight tooth and nail' to keep Tom Johnstone following reported NRL interest

CHRIS Chester insists that Wakefield Trinity will "fight tooth and nail" to keep prolific winger Tom Johnstone at the club after reports in Australia linked him with a move to the NRL.
NRL LINKS: Reports in Australia have claimed that St George Illawarra Dragons are interested in Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone. Picture:  St George Illawarra Dragons.NRL LINKS: Reports in Australia have claimed that St George Illawarra Dragons are interested in Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone. Picture:  St George Illawarra Dragons.
NRL LINKS: Reports in Australia have claimed that St George Illawarra Dragons are interested in Wakefield Trinity winger Tom Johnstone. Picture: St George Illawarra Dragons.

The Trinity head coach admitted he was unaware of any speculation linking the 25-year-old with a move away from Wakefield, with St George Illawarra reported to be interested in the winger.

Johnstone is currently sidelined with an elbow injury but is regarded as one of the best wingers in Super League and the rumours of a move down under come as no surprise to Chester.

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Johnstone has scored six tries in six league appearances for Wakefield this season and had the same return in 2019 before rupturing his ACL in March.

"It is news to me, I was shown a report from Australia this morning by one of the players but I am not aware of any link or speculation," said Chester.

"It doesn't surprise me, Tom is one of our best players. He can finish and he has got some leg speed and he is a good, young kid.

"He is happy here at Wakefield Trinity and the club will fight tooth and nail to keep him here. It is all news to me. I have nothing really to say on it but I would obviously like Tom to stay.

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"Until we get confirmation from any club in the NRL, he has still got another two years on his current contract."

FINISH: Tom Johnstone scoring against Wigan Warriors. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.FINISH: Tom Johnstone scoring against Wigan Warriors. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
FINISH: Tom Johnstone scoring against Wigan Warriors. Picture: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Meanwhile, Tony Gigot will not be cup-tied for Wakefield in the Challenge Cup despite being part of the Toronto Wolfpack 17-man squad that beat Huddersfield Giants in round five.

Gigot was an unused substitute in that fixture and Chester revealed that Trinity are free to play him in the competition.

The Frenchman will miss tomorrow's sixth-round meeting with Catalans Dragons through injury but will be available for other games if Wakefield are successful in their knockout tie.

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Winger Liam Kay did feature Toronto in the fifth round, meaning he will not be available for selection during the cup run.

"I have always been led to believe that if you are picked in a 17-man squad and, whether you play or not, that it counts as an appearance," added Chester.

"We raised it with the RFL and found out on Thursday that Liam Kay wouldn't be available.

"Unfortunately Tony is not quite fit or he would've played this week."

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James Mitchinson