St Helens half-back Lee Gaskell has signed a new three-year contract with the club.
No truth in Sean Long rumours, insists chief exec
St Helens half-back Lee Gaskell has signed a new three-year contract which will keep him with the club at least until the end of the 2013 season.
The 20-year-old made only two Engage Super League appearances last season but has started four of the last five matches and, in the current absence of Leon Pryce through injury and the likely imminent departure of Kyle Eastmond, is set for a prolonged run.
"Lee has stepped into the first team comfortably so far this season and is likely to get plenty of opportunity ahead," said Saints head coach Royce Simmons.
"He has a good running and kicking game and the potential to become a regular member of the first team."
Saints chairman Eamonn McManus added: "Lee is another product of our academy and has fitted seamlessly into a position initially vacated by injury.
"He has the ability to become a top Super League player for the Saints in the years ahead and is clearly very proud to be a part of team and the club.
Commitment
"I know that we are assured of his absolute commitment to the Saints cause."
The emergence of Gaskell, who formed an effective half-back partnership with another novice, Jonny Lomax, in St Helens' 30-16 win at Leeds on Saturday, will take the urgency out of the club's search for a replacement for Bath-bound Eastmond.
The England international remains suspended pending the conclusion of an internal investigation into alleged misconduct and, having confirmed a switch of codes at end of the season, seems increasingly unlikely to play for the club again.
Eastmond inherited the number seven jersey from Sean Long, who is now in his second season with Hull but has been linked with a return to St Helens, speculation which the club have been quick to quash.
"There is no truth in it," said chief executive Tony Colquitt. "He is under contract at Hull and is not on our radar."
