How Pearce is causing drama at the Sharks

Mitchell Pearce is officially still a Rooster, but he's already causing friction in Cronulla.

Sharks flyer Valentine Holmes has revealed to Channel 7 that he re-signed with the club on the understanding that he'd play fullback, not wing.

However that plan is set to be abandoned should the Sharks sign Pearce, who could be looking to leave Bondi after the Roosters signed Cooper Cronk.

If Pearce does make the move to Cronulla, he'll likely push new recruit Matt Moylan to fullback, with Holmes forced to shift back to the wing.

The Sharks also have former Dragons No.1 Josh Dugan, who will shift to centre in what could be a star-studded backline.

But according to Holmes, he's been assured he'll play at the back in 2018.

"That's why I re-signed," he told Channel 7 reporter Josh Massoud.

According to Massoud, Sharks skipper Paul Gallen is leading the charge to try and persuade Pearce to jump ship to Cronulla.

Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan recently said he's pencilled in Moylan to be his five-eighth but admits the team could change again as the club waits on the status of Pearce.

Flanagan refused to rule out making a play for Pearce, and expects an answer by the end of the month.

"Some days you hear that he's going to move, some days you hear that he's going to stay. So we'll just sit back and I presume that will get done in the next week or two," Flanagan said last week.

"I think he's due back to start training with the Roosters around the 20th or 23rd, somewhere along there. So I suppose we'll hear if he's going to go or going to move."

Flanagan insisted the club had yet to make an approach to Pearce or his management, with the incumbent NSW State of Origin No.7 still overseas on holidays.

But the premiership-winning coach admitted Sharks players had reached out to Pearce.

"It's a small world, he's got some great mates within the club. He's played with (Paul Gallen), and he's played with Wade (Graham)," Flanagan said.

with AAP