JOHN Worsfold’s future at Essendon could be secured before the start of next season with contract talks to officially open in February.

The 49-year-old is out of contract at the end of 2018, but appears certain to get an extension.

"The plan is, Xavier and I have already diarised early February," Worsfold told reporters on Friday.  

"It's actually in my calendar to sit down and start to get around that stuff.

"My aim here is to be part of Essendon’s next premiership, so hopefully that means we only need a one-year deal but if it takes longer we'll put the work in and do that."

Worsfold was speaking at the launch of a new name for Essendon's state-of-the-art Tullamarine training base.

The facility will be known as 'The Hangar' with new signage inside the giant training hall and outside visible from the street and even planes coming in to land on the adjacent runway.

The club has foregone a sponsor for the complex, which previously was named after a solar energy company, because it wants to create an identity for fans, staff, players and the media.

A number of wealthy supporters have chipped in so there’s no financial disadvantage.