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Future star pens new Lions deal

26/ 7/2007

LOCAL lad Mike Smith has been hailed a 'star of the future' after penning a one-year contract extension at Swinton Lions.

The 21-year-old forward is now tied to the club until the end of the 2008 season.

Lions coach Paul Kidd said: "Mike has a big future ahead of him.

"He is a second rower who comes from an amateur background with Folly Lane and the effort he has shown at Swinton this year has been fantastic.

"His performances out on the pitch have been fantastic too and he deserves his new contract. He's a young lad and we are delighted to have him tied to the club for the next 18 months."

On-loan half back Jay Duffy is another youngster with the world at his feet, according to Kidd.

The Swinton coach is keen to keep Duffy on board for at least another month after allowing Chris Hough to join League One side Leigh on loan.

Kidd said: "Leigh have been into my ribs about Chris for a few weeks. It is an opportunity for Chris to test himself at a higher level and, with three other half backs at my disposal, I was not going to stand in his way.

"He's joined on a one-month loan, which opens the door for Duffy to come into the side and show what he can do.

"Duffy is a very good player, which he showed on his Swinton debut in Sunday's win at Gateshead. He has one more game before he is due to go back to Batley but we will be negotiating with them about that soon. We would like him to stay for at least another month."

The Lions travel to third from bottom Keighley on Sunday, July 29, kick-off 3pm, hoping to continue their impressive run of form which has seen them move to within four points of the League Two play-offs.

Kidd said: "Like Gateshead, Keighley are capable of playing fantastically well on their day and they are strong at home. We have put in four decent performances on the bounce and we need that form to continue."

The only Swinton players certain to miss the game through injury are Rob Line (ankle), Bruce Johnson (groin) and Mark Brocklehurst (knee).