Canterbury have re-signed halfback Trent Hodkinson until the end of the 2015 NRL season.

Hodkinson missed much of the 2012 season and the Bulldogs charge to the grand final due to a chronic knee injury, but he has been coach Des Hasler’s first choice No.7 at Belmore this season.

Hodkinson took over from grand final halfback Kris Keating in round six and has played every match since.

With Keating Super League-bound to play with Hull KR, Hodkinson is set to be the Bulldogs halves partner to Josh Reynolds for the next two seasons.

Hodkinson said he was happy to have his future secured after finally putting the knee injury behind him.

“I went through a bit of a rough trot last year, but I’m so happy to be back playing regularly and to now have the next two years secured here is great,” Hodkinson said.

“There were some dark times there and the aim was to string a few games together, but it’s good to know that I’ll be wearing the blue and white for the next two years.”

In a club statement Hasler paid tribute to Hodkinson, who plays a similar no-nonsense style to the former Kangaroos halfback-turned-premiership-winning coach.

“Trent is someone that works hard on his game and he’ll continue to work hard over the next period here at the Bulldogs,” Hasler said.

“It’s good to see Trent fit after a troubling past with injury and we hope he can continue to produce solid performances in the NRL.”

The Bulldogs face Brisbane in the Queensland capital on Thursday night having already qualified for the NRL finals.