Important update on Luke Thompson

Luke Thompson is one of the best British players we have seen in the last decade.

A guaranteed England player, the prop has caught the eye in the NRL but is out injured “indefinitely” according to Canterbury Bulldogs Chief Phil Gould who gave an important update on the club’s injured players.

Gould said: “Luke Thompson is indefinite at this stage. No clear timeline on his return to play. Nasty injury. Viliame Kikau probably round 23. It’s a long recovery. Bailey Biondi-Odo has worked very hard and is expected back well ahead of anticipated. Maybe another month.”

Luke Thompson is indefinite at this stage. No clear timeline on his return to play. Nasty injury. Viliame Kikau probably round 23. It’s a long recovery. Bailey Biondi-Odo has worked very hard and is expected back well ahead of anticipated. Maybe another month.

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) May 17, 2023

Thompson reportedly received a huge offer to leave the Bulldogs and join a Super League club according to reports in Australia.

The offer is a huge four year deal from “a rich club” according to the Mole of the Wide World of Sports.

And complicating matters is the fact it comes from his former side – St Helens’ – biggest rivals the Wigan Warriors.

Thompson won the Grand Final with St Helens in 2019 winning the Harry Sunderland Award as Man of the Match against Salford Red Devils and has starred for England since then.

There have been constant questions over whether he would return to Super League since his NRL move to Canterbury Bulldogs in 2020.

He was linked with a return to St Helens or a move to Leeds Rhinos or Warrington Wolves.

His injury only prompted more questions about his future in the NRL and Wigan have put in a huge offer according to the Mole who reported:

“The Bulldogs are in danger of losing star Englishman Luke Thompson for next season.

“Thompson has been sorely missed by the club in the early rounds, sidelined with a serious foot injury suffered at training in February.

“But the 27-year-old remains a key figure at Belmore and is expected to be back on the park in a month or so.

“Thompson comes off contract at the end of the season and has received a massive four-year deal from the rich Wigan club.

“It’s money the Bulldogs can’t match – despite Thompson’s current contract being worth $800,000 a season – so ultimately it will come down to whether he wants to stay in Australia for the lifestyle or return home to take up a deal that will secure his future long-term.”

Wigan boss Matt Peet admitted Thompson is a player he admires but suggested the reports weren’t true.