BACK-UP St George Illawarra rake Tony Caine has been granted an immediate release from his contract to allow him to rest the knee he horrifically injured in 2006.

The 21-year-old wrecked his knee in his NRL debut, playing for Cronulla.

He switched to the Dragons and ended up playing nine NRL games and 14 Premier League matches last year.

Caine, a member of the red and whites' top-25 squad, took part in the pre-season and in the joint venture club's first trial of 2008, against the Bulldogs last month.

But the young gun felt his knee just wasn't right.

"This was definitely the hardest decision I have ever had to make," Caine said.

"I am confident that I will play again. I don't believe it is the end of my rugby league career, but I won't step onto the field until I feel myself that I am 100 per cent ready to compete to the best of my ability.

"I feel as though I was putting in an extra 50 per cent, but was still 25 per cent behind everyone else."

Dragons coach Nathan Brown admitted it was a great shame for both Caine and the red and whites.

"TC has made a great impression at our club and we are all very disappointed to see him stand down," he said.

"His attitude and commitment in his time here was outstanding."

Illawarra Mercury