League: Warriors targeting Nightingale

Kiwis and Dragons winger Jason Nightingale is believed to be in the sights of the New Zealand Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors are believed to have off-contract St George-Illawarra and Kiwis flyer Jason Nightingale in their sights for 2016.

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden and managing director Jim Doyle were spotted having coffee with Nightingale in Auckland yesterday morning.

The 28-year-old has been in ongoing talks to remain a one-club player with the Dragons although discussions are believed to have stalled, while the Canterbury Bulldogs are also understood to be keen on securing his services.

McFadden last week refused to discuss the possibility of Nightingale's recruitment but admitted at last night's post-match press conference, following the Warriors' 25-21 loss to the Sydney Roosters, that he had met with the Manly-born 199-game veteran.

"I may have had coffee with Jim Doyle and a certain Dragons player, just because he was in town," said McFadden.

"He's a local kiwi boy. We just caught up because he was in town. He's been in town for the weekend seeing his family so Jim asked me to come along."

The potential acquisition of Nightingale would be in keeping with the club's interest in luring Australian-based Kiwis back across the Tasman, following the twin signings for next season of Roosters' fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and South Sydney Rabbitohs' hooker Issac Luke.

Nightingale's signature would give the Warriors the New Zealand back-three, along with Manu Vatuvei on the left wing, and provide valuable experience and depth to aid and complement the development of impressive rookie Ken Maumalo.

Nightingale, a 2010 premiership winner, has scored 89 tries for the Dragons and 16 four-pointers in 25 test appearances in the black jersey.