After a career best year that saw him named in the New Zealand side, it seems that the under-rated Dragons winger, Jason Nightingale might be on the outer at the club, unless things are sewn up, and quickly.

Nightingale, who scored twice in the Dragons grand final win in the 2010 season, says that the Dragons are yet to approach him about negotiating a new deal, as he is off-contract at the end of 2011.

“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.”

Should negotiations be put on hold or stall, it will be the New Zealand Warriors with first dibs on Nightingale, given the NZ connection, as well as the fact that he shares a good relationship with many of the NZ players.

Despite such connections however, Nightingale says that his desire is to 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.”

Wayne Scurrah, the Warriors Chief Executive, said that if the opportunity ever arose to sign Nightingale, his side would not hesitate, but they would expect the Dragons to throw the kitchen sink at Nightingale 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.”

By ricky

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