Wasps boss Dai Young has confirmed that club co-captain James Haskell is likely to sign a new contract within the next week.

The England flanker had already said he is keen to stay with the club, and to be part of the club’s future in Coventry.

It is no great surprise that the feeling is mutual, as Haskell is an outstanding leader who is well respected by his peers.

“We’re well down the road on that, so we’d expect it to be sorted very quickly,” Young said.

“It’s an easy one for us - we want to keep James and he wants to stay, so we’d expect that to be sorted within the next week.

“It’s great news that he wants to stay and help us in the journey we’re on to move this club forward.”

Wasps' James Haskell 

Haskell returned to Wasps in 2012 after two seasons with Stade Francais in the French Top 14 and a year split between Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams and New Zealand’s Highlanders.

He had previously had seven seasons with the black and golds, and has won the majority of his 62 England caps as a Wasp.

Young said he expects this tally to be added to under new coach Eddie Jones, despite suggestions from some quarters that Haskell’s international time has gone.

“James has the right mindset, he wants to keep improving and he’s hungry to continue playing for England,” the former British Lion said.

“I know I’m biased and I won’t hide that but I don’t see many better options for England than James out there at the minute.

“And we forget he’s only 30 so there’s no reason why he couldn’t play until the next World Cup.

“I think he’s a genuine option to go right through to the next World Cup, so I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t in the mix really.”

Young also added that there is no further progress regarding Wasps’ interest in Leigh Halfpenny. He said that the British Lions’ full back is likely to make a final decision on whether he will stay with Toulon, return to Wales or join an English club “this week.”