Wheeler commits to Saints

St Helens have announced utility back Gary Wheeler has signed a two-year extension to his contract which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2014 season.

The 22-year-old Wheeler, among a host of promising local juniors to make the breakthrough into Super League, has made 40 appearances for Saints since making his debut in 2008, scoring 16 tries in the process.

"Saints are my home-town club and I couldn't imagine being anywhere else," he said. "There is fantastic competition for places in the side at the moment and I'm looking forward to establishing myself long term."

Wheeler has been overshadowed by winger Jamie Foster and half-backs Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell during the last two injury-hit seasons, but he caught the eye with a two-try show against Catalan Dragons last Friday.

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus added: "We have a fabulous crop of home-grown young players at Saints at the moment and Gary Wheeler is one of the best and brightest.

"It's great news that he has committed himself to his home-town club."