Keegan Hirst is not sure if he is the only gay professional rugby league player but has comforting words for anybody contemplating whether to come out of the closet.

The Wakefield Trinity prop forward might have expected his brave move to prompt others to follow suit yet – four years on – he remains the only gay professional rugby league player, despite the positive reaction he has received.

"It's such an individualised thing to do," he told PA. "People might be out but not publicly. It's a really difficult one.

"Maybe there aren't any other gay professional rugby league players, I honestly don't know.

"A person can only do it when they're ready to do it.

"It would be easy for me to say 'if you're a gay rugby league player, come out', but it doesn't work like that.

"I can talk first hand about my experience, prior to coming out and struggling with my sexuality, bottling things up, depression and things like that, which is a good place to be able to help other people from.

"It's been a bit of a blessing in disguise I guess."

Meanwhile, Hirst admits his future is up in the air as he nears the end of his contract with Wakefield.

"I've a couple of irons in the fire," he said. "There's not been an offer from Wakefield yet and I don't know whether there will be.

"I'm just keeping my head down and trying to keep on playing. There's a bit of rugby to be played yet.

"I really like it at Wakefield but we'll have to see what happens."