Injury-prone utility Kyle Stanley knows he could be playing for an NRL contract when he represents Samoa during the Four Nations later this month.

The 23-year-old is off-contract and has not yet recommitted to St George Illawarra.

He signed a three-year deal with the Dragons in 2011 but has been plagued by injury, undergoing four knee operations as well as battling shoulder and hamstring problems.

He played off the bench in first grade for the opening five games of 2014 and returned to the team late in the year, earning a starting role at hooker in the last-round trip to Newcastle.

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Stanley is now in camp with the Samoan squad and plans to line up in the halves for the Four Nations opener against England on October 25.

He believes a strong Four Nations campaign could be his NRL lifeline.

‘‘I think it’s a good opportunity to showcase myself in the halves,’’ Stanley said.

‘‘People will be watching so hopefully I do all right.’’

Stanley is leaving contract talks in the hands of his manager but admits he wants to put pen to paper as soon as possible.

The Samoan squad went into camp on Thursday as Dragons teammates Stanley, Leeson Ah Mau and Peter Mata’utia reunited to represent their  country of origin.

Stanley has been told by coach Matt Parish he will combine with Ben Roberts in the halves during the tournament.

He is keen to take on a playmaking role for Samoa.

‘‘We’ll form a nice combination [with Roberts] in the next few weeks,’’ Stanley said.

‘‘I’m looking forward to it, it’s exciting.

‘‘I think it’s a massive step up ...I’m just glad to be in the side, that Matt Parish picked me.’’

Stanley has circled one particular game on his calendar – the week-three clash with Australia at WIN Stadium.

He will return to Wollongong to take on the Kangaroos in front of a ‘‘home’’ crowd.

While none of his Dragons teammates will line up for Australia, Stanley has the chance to take on Gareth Widdop and Mike Cooper for England, and Jason Nightingale and Gerard Beale for New Zealand.

‘‘It’s always good to go up against your teammates, you always try to get the better of them,’’ Stanley said.

‘‘First game we’ve got Coops and Gareth playing for England, then we’ve got Gypsy and Beale named for New Zealand.

‘‘It’s going to be weird, putting on the Samoa jersey. But I’ll wear it with a lot of pride.’’