New Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire is hopeful he can retain halfback Luke Brooks on a long-term deal at the club.
Brooks is contracted to the Tigers until the end of the 2019 season with Maguire aiming to keep the halfback at the club to help build a spine around.
The 23-year-old will be heading into his sixth season with the club and has become the general for the Tigers, leading the charge with his attacking plays.
Maguire spoke to the media stating Brooks will be back at pre-season training over the next few days.
"I've spoken to Brooks a few times, and he'll be in over the next couple of days." Maguire said.
"Obviously we've had some discussions now and I'm looking forward to sitting down with him and educating and building his game."
After the highly reported departure of Ivan Cleary from the club, Maguire is looking forward to bringing his experience to Wests as they build for a finals berth in 2019.
"Yeah, I really enjoy working with halves, it's something I've always had a passion for" Maguire said.
"Brooks is a great talent and he's spent a lot of time at this club and the way he has developed his game is right in the prime now of being able to take it forward in a big way.
"He's got good people around him such as Benji and Josh and is the makings of a really strong spine."
Brooks remaining unsigned beyond the 2019 season could be a distraction for the club as they begin their pre-season training, but its reported a deal isn't too far away from being inked.
Maguire believes its important to build a relationship with Brooks regarding the growth in his game in order to keep him at the club.
"I've been very fortunate I guess over my time that I've worked with a fair few halves and spent a lot of time and I want to give him as much knowledge as I can to him to make him a better player," Maguire said.
"I think for any player, if you're at a club and you're growing and learning than you can become a better player and I'm sure he wants to do that here.
"He's a little general, but it's also the spine that works with him, you know, in any team the strength of your spine helps determine where you're going to end up, the whole spine will work together."