NRL: Warriors eye Nightingale

Jason Nightingale. Photo / Getty Images

St George Illawarra's grand final hero Jason Nightingale admits he doesn't know if his future remains at the Dragons, with the club yet to approach him about a new deal.

Nightingale, who scored two tries in the joint-venture's emotional grand final win over Sydney Roosters last October, is off-contract at the end of this season.

The New Zealand winger, who was also part of the Kiwi side that won the Four Nations title late last year, wants to stay at the Dragons, but admits he's unsure where he will be next season.

"I would like to stay but there are a few things in the air at the moment, but I am sure negotiations will start soon," said Nightingale.

"I am happy where I am, the club is heading in the right direction and I want to stay part of it."

Nightingale's situation will not go unnoticed by the Warriors, who are always keen on luring New Zealand players back across the Tasman.

The 24-year-old admitted, however, he would rather remain in Australia.

"You never rule anything out, I am only 24 now and not really looking at chasing contracts overseas," he said.

"I am just happy doing what I am at the moment, but I will leave it up to my manager and the club to work things out and I am sure they will."

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah confirmed the club would be interested in making a move for Nightingale, but believed the Dragons would do all they could to keep him.

"Jason is a fantastic player and if he ever became available then of course we would consider trying to sign him," Scurrah said.

"However, that doesn't mean it would go any further than that.

"We are the only rugby league side in New Zealand and ideally we would grow and develop our own players and retain those.

"But we're always looking at the best players regardless of nationality, but being a Kiwi club we do like to have New Zealand players in our team."

- AAP