ADAM Warren admits negotiations for a new Dragons contract are "up in the air" but is focused on boosting his claims for a stay by impressing against his old Scarlets teammates in Llanelli.

The 27-year-old from Burry Port moved east in 2015 and few players can rival him in terms of value for money.

Warren, who can play both midfield positions and on the wing, started all 30 games in his first campaign at Rodney Parade and has featured in 87 of 109 possible fixtures in all competitions.

Awarding the reliable back a contract extension seems a no-brainer but the Dragons are in limbo, hunting a new coach after sacking Bernard Jackman and waiting for a fresh deal between the regions and the Welsh Rugby Union.

A review into pay structures of players and the delay for confirmation of budgets has left the likes of Warren in limbo, although the centre insists he is just focused on producing the goods on the field.

"I am out of contract at the end of the season and for me it's just about playing my best every game," said Warren.

"Obviously I'd love to have an offer, I am not sure how it will go but I just need to put my best foot forward every game.

"I feel it's better that I just focus on myself and each game, then there is more chance of picking something up.

"It's up in the air at the moment and there are a lot of things going on behind the scenes. As a playing group we have said that there is not much we can control, the WRU are trying to get their side of things sorted and when that is up and running players can negotiate and try and get contracts sorted.

"We've just got to be positive and if you do well out on the field then there is a good chance of getting a new deal."

Warren has certainly done his cause no harm with his recent displays, which kept Wales centre Tyler Morgan out of the XV for Sunday's thrilling derby win against the Ospreys.

He has formed a strong partnership with Jarryd Sage and their exploits against Cardiff Blues, when the 14-man Dragons were denied a draw at the death by Gareth Anscombe's penalty.

"As a group we were so gutsy that the coaches wanted to reward all the boys," said Warren. "As players you just want to step up to that level again because we felt that we were unlucky not to win or at least get a draw.

"There is always tough competition with Tyler. He has showed that he is a talented young player and sometimes I have gone to the wing and we've played together.

"It was great to get rewarded for the game against the Blues; me and Sagey played well together and when the coaches back you it gives a confidence boost.

"But at the same time, I know that I can't have a bad game because then Tyler will get his chance and I'll have to wait for my next one."

Warren, who won a Wales cap against the Barbarians in 2012, moved to Rodney Parade after finding his route to the Scarlets XV blocked by Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams and Regan King.

"I love playing against the Scarlets and grew up playing with a lot of their players, so there is no better feeling," he said.

"I enjoyed my time there and I was playing with international centres. It was tough but I did get a lot of games and showed what I could do and then thought that the right move was to come to the Dragons."

He is yet to enjoy a Guinness PRO14 success against his old side but hopes of changing that record have been boosted by the victory against the Ospreys.

"It's been a lot more positive after the weekend," said Warren. "We hadn't won a derby for a while and it was such a good feeling on the field after playing for each other.

"We spoke a lot about getting tighter together and then the result would come. We dug in deep and managed to get that win.

"We spoke about discipline, energy, attitude and going after them because the Ospreys came to us fully loaded and it was a great result."

The Dragons are hunting a first PRO14 away win since beating Treviso in March, 2015 and Warren believes ending that 38-game streak of misery would be one in the eye for their critics.

"We sometimes get looked at as a weaker region but we don't feel that as a group. We're confident that we've got good players and it just needs to click," he said.

"It will be nice to prove to our fans and everyone out there that we are a very competitive side. We know that it's a tough ask this weekend because over the last two years the Scarlets have shown great form but beating them would show everyone what we are capable of.

"The next step for us would be to get that big away win. We all love playing at Rodney Parade but if we can go to the Scarlets, the league champions two years ago and Champions Cup semi-finalists last year, and get a win then our confidence would go through the roof."

The Dragons name their team at midday.