MORE from Tony Smith on this week’s extended two-year deal for Joe Philbin.

“In terms of game opportunities and numbers of games, he's certainly had more opportunities this year and that's credit to him.

“He wouldn't have had as many opportunities if he hadn't been as effective as he needs to be. And he has been effective.

“It’s rewards for his year so far. He had to step up because he had an indifferent season last year.

“Also his pre-season last year was a bit indifferent in some respects and I think he got a bit of a kick up the backside when he probably wasn’t where he would have liked to have been in terms of selection and he took that on the chin really well and he responded.

“The best way to respond is by the way you train and the way you perform.

“He really has improved. He’s working a lot harder in training and is a lot hungrier for his position and I think it shows in the way he’s playing.

“He’s doing a good job for us, providing good impact off the bench.

“We and he would like more minutes per game and that’s his challenge, to extend that. While he’s doing a good job he stays on the field, if he starts to slow down that’s time for him to come off. He’s been able to do that pretty well this year.

“He’s a pleasure to work with. He listens, takes things on board and then tries to improve and that’s all you can ask of a young man.

"I think putting him in the middle has helped him but he's capable of playing on the edges when called upon and did last week. He did a good job for us once Bennie Westwood got his broken hand and he went on and fulfilled the job as an injury replacement. So the versatility of him is good.

“We've put a lot of resources and time and effort into bringing these young guys through and we’re really proud of that.

“We've got the attitude that if they're good enough we don't care where they come from. We do care if they're good enough from our home town of course.

“We've got Dec playing fairly regularly, Philbin fairly regularly, Harvey until he got injured, Andre is a Warrington boy too. It's a good time for young Warrington boys to come through. If they're deemed good enough they will get an opportunity to play for their home team.”