The Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett says the National Rugby League club has a duty of care towards Russell Packer and his family after the new recruit was sentenced to two years in jail for assault on Monday.
The former Warriors prop moved to Newcastle ahead of the 2014 season after signing a three-year deal with the Knights but his future is now very much up in the air.
Bennett says Newcastle did not condone Packer's behaviour but that the club had an obligation to look after the 24-year-old and his family.
Packer's legal team have launched an appeal against his sentence after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and failing to leave a venue.
The appeal will be heard on February 11th.
