Fresh blow in Mitchell Pearce’s off-season from hell

Things keep getting worse for Mitchell Pearce.

First, the Newcastle star was forced to cancel his wedding at the last minute after a sexting scandal with a club employee, then he lost the Knights captaincy.

Now, the halfback requires surgery after injuring his right thumb at training last week.

The 31-year-old will go under the knife today but is expected to be fit for his side’s Round 1 clash against the Bulldogs on March 12.

“Pearce’s injury is considered minor and he is not expected to miss any NRL football,” the Knights said in a statement.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Pearce was optimistic he won’t be sidelined for long.

“I’ll get surgery and I should be back out with the ball in two weeks,” Pearce said. “It’s a small little hiccup, but it’s a long year.”

The setback is another blow for Pearce, who will be hoping to get back to football matters after a disastrous off-season.

The playmaker’s wedding to fiancee Kristin Scott was called off just days out from the event on December 29 after alleged inappropriate text messages from Pearce to a young female club employee — who was in a relationship herself — emerged.

Pearce and Scott were due to get married in Byron Bay in front of 150 family and friends and while Pearce initially claimed the decision to cancel was due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was soon revealed the text message exchange was to blame.

Pearce has since vanished from Scott’s Instagram page, ending her desire for publicly sharing photos cuddled up with the former Roosters star.

While Scott has shared photos on her account celebrating her 29th birthday, Christmas and New Year’s — Pearce has not been spotted in any of them. Pearce has also deleted his own Instagram account.

The couple in happier times.Source:Supplied

There were reports Pearce’s scandal had split the Knights playing group.Source:Supplied

The star No. 7 said last month he and Scott were “sorting things out” — but Scott’s Instagram cleanse has led to speculation the couple’s relationship is now over after the messy, public nature of the scandal.

Pearce earlier described the way the saga played out publicly as “traumatic”, as he stepped down from his role as captain.

“For me it’s been a traumatic few weeks for my personal life and those I love,” he said earlier this month. “Unfortunately my actions have impacted the team and more importantly the people I have closest to me, Kristin and my family.

“I’m taking steps now to address these issues and for me to step down as captain this season.

“I love this club and I love my family and I’m committed to working as hard as I can to be the best man I can be both on and off the field.

“I appreciate a bit of respect moving forward and some time to get back to training.”

Newcastle has since announced a five-man leadership group to replace Pearce as captain, including Mitch Barnett, Kalyn Ponga, Daniel Saifiti, Blake Green and Jayden Brailey.

The club said the players were chosen after an “extensive selection process” and that all five will lead “both on and off the field throughout 2021”.

A decision to select a club captain and on-field captain will be made in the coming weeks.

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