By Martin Morgan

Last updated at 12:12, Friday, 26 June 2009

Whitehaven's last line of defence Craig Benson has penned a 12-month contract extension – despite being sidelined with a broken jaw.

Craig Benson

Benson had been a long-time understudy to full-back Gary Broadbent but seized his chance after the skipper switched to Barrow in the close-season.

And his new deal is seen as a sign of faith that he can hit the heights again next year, when recovered from his jaw injury, suffered at Toulouse, eight weeks ago.

“Craig’s taken the injury in his stride, and hopefully it will be character-building,” said head of performance, Gary Hewer.

“He’s a fantastic player, a Kells product, and I think a lot of him. He’s very courageous and suffered the injury in preventing a try.

“He’s still only 23, so is young in terms of RL, and he’s not a lad whose confidence will be knocked lightly.

“Craig’s a player we want to build a team with, and we’re not going to throw our investment away.”

Benson is back in training, though has not yet been given the all-clear to resume contact work, and it is not clear if he will return to Championship action this season.

Coach Ged Stokes is to speak to the full-back to gauge his view.

“I’m very happy with him,” Stokes said. “He’s shown very much the makings of a player who could make it at this level.

“He just needs to add a few more things to his game, and another year in the gym will help him.

“He knows you have to be physically strong as you’re going to get belted around. It’s the full-back’s lot.”

First published at 11:27, Friday, 26 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk