Dylan Grimes is hopeful of a two-year contract extension, as discussions between the injured Richmond defender and his club continue.

Grimes, 21, is out for up to eight weeks because of a foot problem, continuing his luckless run with injury.

His manager Anthony McConville said discussions were ongoing.

”We have been in discussions with the club over the last number of weeks,” he said. ”We will continue to have dialogue as the season unfolds. Obviously, it would have been nice having Dylan out there playing. No doubt the club would love him to be out there.

”We will be talking probably a couple of years if we are to extend.

”He is in the leadership group. He is highly respected, not only by the leadership group, but also the coaches. To be in the leadership group with a limited amount of games experience says a lot about the person and his character.”

It is understood McConville and the Tigers agree over the length of the contract.

Grimes, the brother of Melbourne’s Jack, has endured eye and a series of hamstring injuries and has been restricted to 22 of a possible 53 matches since his debut in late 2010.