NRL: Benji Marshall keen to extend Dragons contract

Benji Marshall in action for the Dragons. Photo/Getty.

Former Kiwis captain Benji Marshall is keen to stay with St George-Illawarra long-term but the Dragons have told him any new deal will be extended one year at a time.

Marshall has told the Dragons he wants to play on for another three or four years but coach Paul McGregor is not sure he can offer the 30-year-old halfback a satisfactory deal.

"I've sat down with Benji and told him the situation we're in at the present time," McGregor told the Daily Telegraph.

"I said there was a lot that could happen in 12 months with players coming off contract, or players who might look for an opportunity elsewhere.

"Is Benji in my plans? Benji is a player I enjoy coaching, and he's a player I think who has more football in him in years to come. If things work out well, he'll be at the club.

"In no way shape or form do I think Benji can't perform at this level for a numerous amounts of years.

"But unfortunately at the moment I haven't got the ability to give him what I think he's worth."

Marshall was dynamic for the Red V last season and finished joint runner-up behind Johnathan Thurston in the Dally M awards.

The Dragons also have young half and Junior Kangaroos and NSW State of Origin under 20s captain Drew Hutchison on their books and would not stand in Marshall's way if he was able to secure a contract at another club.

Marshall was given extra time off over the offseason following ankle surgery and impressed McGregor with his dedication to working at all hours in the altitude room with new Dragons conditioner Tony Ayoub.