ST George Illawarra centre Dylan Farrell could be forced into retirement at just 24 years of age as a back injury continues to plague the young star.

Farrell, who began his career with South Sydney, has struggled with the injury for months and Dragons coach Paul McGregor admitted the outlook wasn’t promising.

“He hasn’t been able to resume training. It is not looking great,” McGregor told The Daily Telegraph.

“He can’t lift his kids up so that is not a good thing.

“But I think (a decision on his future) is a few weeks away. He is only young.”

Without Farrell, the Dragons have a genuine need to get more depth in the outside backs, with the other three-quarter contenders including Euan Aitken and Peter Mata’utia.

McGregor said the Dragons were in the market for a player like Manly’s Peta Hiku or Canterbury’s Tim Lafai, who was just granted a release from his Bulldogs contract.

media_camera Dylan Farrell has a serious back injury. Picture: Mark Evans

“I haven’t spoken to Tim (Lafai) or his management. Obviously my recruitment will look at that (this week) because that has only now just come about,” McGregor said.

“We have spoken to Peta Hiku, he has obviously got two other clubs interested.

“We have shown interest because he is certainly a quality footballer and for a player like that to come on the market so late and you have got room in your cap, you’d be silly not to have a look at that type of player.”

Read the full interview in Monday’s The Daily Telegraph