WHARFEDALE are set to agree a contract with Chris Malherbe to ensure he stays at the Avenue for at least another season (writes Mike Crowther).

The South African centre has become hot property after an impressive year which has seen him make the England Counties squad who are currently on tour in South America.

Doncaster, who were runaway winners of national two last season, have expressed an interest in signing Malherbe since their 8-3 defeat of Dale in early April.

But head coach John Lawn said the player had given him his word that he wanted to stay at Wharfedale before jetting off to Argentina last Friday. And he expects Malherbe to put pen to paper on his return later this month.

Lawn said: "I have had a long conversation with Chris and he is verbally committed to the club."

While Lawn said that a handshake was good enough for him, the club is looking to ward off interest in the player by agreeing a written deal.

It is believed that a contract would also incorporate Malherbe's work for the club's academy, for whom he carries out coaching in local schools.

The former Kendal and Otley player has been at the Avenue for three seasons, but the last campaign has seen his game step up a level.

He was the club's leading try-scorer in the league with 10 tries and his powerful breaks and strong tackling at outside centre have consistently caught the eye.

Lawn believes the player will one day make it at a higher level - maybe even the premiership.

He said: "He has had a fantastic season and would be a good addition to anybody's squad. He has the talent to go all the way and play at a high level."

Presuming Malherbe puts pen to paper on his return from South America, Dale fans have thankfully not seen the last of this talent.

The 26-year-old is among only a handful of players in the England Counties squad who play for teams outside of national one.

He impressed in the 38-0 friendly win over France Amateurs in February and then for Yorkshire in the recent county championship campaign.

England Counties face an Argentinian XV in Santa Fe on Sunday (3pm local time) before taking on provincial side Rosario next Wednesday. The tour is completed with a game against Uruguay in Montevideo on Saturday June 18.

Despite his South African origin, Malherbe qualifies for England's second tier national side by virtue of having lived in this country for over three years.

Argentina may use the first game to build up to Churchill Cup games in Canada at the end of the month, meaning the Counties will have to hit the ground running in their first game.