FORMER Queensland enforcer Neville Costigan fears he'll be forced into premature retirement because of a Kirk Reynoldson-style contract saga at Canberra.

Costigan, who has played just one NRL match for the Raiders in 2008, needs another nine games to activate an extension for next season worth more than $220,000.

Assuming the Raiders miss the semi-finals, Costigan will need to play every regular-season game to remain in the national capital.

"It's a really tough time," Costigan told The Sun-Herald. "I've got to worry about next year and at the same time try to play footy. It's doing in my head but I've just got to block that out. I've got to play 10 games [to extend my contract] and I haven't played since round one, so I have to play all the rest.

"I'm not too sure they want to keep me anyway. I don't know where my future is at. I've got to play some good footy and take it from there.

"I'm not going to try to impress anyone, that's when I'll stuff up.

"I'll just do my best and hopefully stay in the team next week."

Costigan was named on an extended bench for today's clash with St George Illawarra but is expected to play in place of injured skipper Alan Tongue. But there are fears there could be a repeat of the Reynoldson saga at Newcastle.

Despite being fit and available for selection, the Knights back-rower was overlooked for several games which would have triggered a contract extension.

"He got done over a fair bit," Costigan said.

"I had a yarn to [coach] Neil [Henry] and he said if I'm playing good footy I'll be in the team, it's really up to me from here on in.

"I don't know what they will do, I haven't spoken to [CEO] Don Furner about anything.

"I'm going to go out and do my best. If they want me they'll keep me."

Furner said it was unfair to draw parallels between Reynoldson and Costigan, as the latter has been out of action through injury.

However, he conceded it was "unlikely" the Maroons forward would remain in Canberra.

"He hasn't been winning man of the matches, he's been out injured," Furner said.

"Trying to draw that line [is unfair]. If he's playing well enough, he'll get picked. That's up to the coach."

Complicating the issue is the fact that Costigan is in between managers after falling out with his previous agent.

However, there are no offers from NRL clubs and the 23-year-old said he would more likely retire than continue his playing career overseas.

"I'm thinking about different scenarios," he said.

"I'll probably just move home [to Mackay] and get a job, start a new life there. I'll probably start off with my old man in the sawmill business … maybe end up working in the mines."