Posted April 22, 2017 12:49:56

Photo: Aaron Woods has retained the Tigers captaincy at least in the short-term future. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts, File)

Aaron Woods is likely to remain Wests Tigers captain for the rest of the NRL season despite the club withdrawing a contract extension, while Gareth Widdop has signed a long-term deal with St George Illawarra.

The Tigers are all but certain to lose Woods and star full-back James Tedesco at the end of the year after the pair failed to accept deals that would have kept them at the club long-term.

Woods is believed to be close to announcing a move to the team the Tigers coincidentally face on Sunday, Canterbury, and he still retains the captaincy duties for the time being.

"At this stage, Aaron's the captain of the club and he'll remain that," coach Ivan Cleary said.

Asked if Woods would keep the role for the rest of the year, Cleary said: "I would be very surprised if that didn't happen. I mean, he's the captain.

"I'm sure this is a difficult process for everyone involved, but he's the captain of the team. And I'm sure he'll show that tomorrow."

Cleary was reluctant to comment further on the pair's decision to let Friday's contract deadline pass without reaching out to the club, but was determined to move on in the marketplace.

Photo: Gareth Widdop will stay with the Dragons through to the end of the 2021 NRL season. (AAP: Robb Cox, File)

More than 200 players are currently without a secure future beyond the end of the season, but Widdop is staying put at the Dragons after inking a four-year contract extension.

Widdop, the Dragons captain, will remain with the club until the end of the 2021 season, removing the England international from the busy NRL player transfer market.

"At this stage of my career it certainly was a big decision for my family. I have three young kids, I'm very settled here in Wollongong and I'm enjoying my time here," Widdop said in a statement.

"So while it was a big decision, I'm happy to be staying."

The 28-year-old Widdop has played 79 matches for the Dragons and the Anzac Day fixture against the Sydney Roosters will be his 150th NRL appearance.

"The Dragons have grown more and more since I've arrived. There's a good environment here and it's a good place to be so I wanted to play my part in that," Widdop said.

AAP/ABC

Topics: nrl, rugby-league, sport, leichhardt-2040, campbelltown-2560, kogarah-2217, wollongong-2500