ST GEORGE Illawarra star Josh Dugan has revealed his manager has begun contract negotiations with the Dragons, with the off-contract fullback looking to fast-track talks for a new long-term deal at the club.

Dugan wants to have his future sorted before round one — which kicks off on March 2 — so the Dragons have 51 days to come to an agreement on an extension.

The 26-year-old is into his second week of pre-season training after a break following a successful Four Nations tournament with the Australian Kangaroos.

“Yeah, my manager started talks with the club (Wednesday),” Dugan told foxsports.com.au.

Round 19

“I’m looking to get something sorted before the seasons starts, I don’t want anything hanging over my head going into the season.

“I want to be able to focus on playing good footy for the club and hopefully the rest falls into place.”

Josh Dugan in action for the Dragons. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

The NSW Origin representative believes his next contract is the most important of his career, which is why he’s eyeing a three- to five-year extension.

“My thinking is I’ve probably only got one big contract left in me,” he said.

“I’m 27 this year, my thinking is I want to be playing some good footy for the rest of my career, but I think this is my last big contract — the age starts kicking in and the numbers start going down.

“Look, anything from three to five (years) I think, and then we’ll see what happens at the end of that one.”

Dugan isn’t the only big name coming off contract at the club, with five-eighth and skipper Gareth Widdop also in the same boat.

But unlike Dugan, talks are yet to begin.

Gareth Widdop in action for the Dragons. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

“I’ve been away for six or seven weeks and I’ve only just got back to training after the Four Nations, so that’s the furthest thing from my mind,” Widdop told foxsports.com.au.

“We’ve got a new squad, so I just want to get back out there playing good football as a team and individually and those things look after themselves.”

When asked whether the England international wanted to remain in a Red V, Widdop said: “Yeah, definitely.

“My family enjoy where we live, I enjoy the lifestyle and the club, so we’ll see where they’re at and what they want to do and whatever they decide I’m happy with.”

A player who has been linked with the club and who could potentially partner Widdop in the halves in 2018 is Brisbane’s Ben Hunt.

According to Channel Seven, the off-contract Broncos star has been formally offered a contract by the Dragons worth a huge $1 million per season.

Ben Hunt has been linked to the Dragons. Picture: Liam Kidston. Source: News Corp Australia

“That’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Dugan said when asked about the report.

“You never know, (rugby league) is a business and the club has to look at the future, but we’ve got some great players in our system who can handle it and who we can move forward with.”

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