A NEW three-year deal caps off what has been a stand-out year for Jack Hughes.

It is a year that has seen him recognised as a real leader, both for club and country.

READ > More on Jack Hughes' new deal

READ > Why Jack Hughes has committed his future to The Wire

His value has never been lost on anyone inside the Wire camp, but this year has seen him gain more plaudits from the terraces.

He is Warrington’s “Mr Consistent” and it is only right that this was rewarded.

The work he does for the team can often go unnoticed, but looking at the game in greater detail is when you really see how much of an impact he has.

Particularly last year, moving into the middle unit for spells from his regular right-edge spot has seemed to take his game to another level.

He is one of the team’s key organisers in defence and pops up with his fair share of tries. Just ask St Helens…

The leadership aspect of his game is one that has really developed. In a dressing room full of experience, Hughes is now a key voice.

With his new deal now set to keep him at the club until 2022 – by which point he will be 30 – he has committed to giving the prime years of his career to The Wire.

With that in mind, nobody should have any qualms sticking their neck out and predicting he will be a future captain of Warrington Wolves.

Perhaps not next year as Chris Hill appears to have that honour locked down for the time being, but one could certainly see him taking up the role before his contract expires.

It’s not a job that is alien to him – he has led The Wire out on numerous occasions in the past and his leadership skills have grown since then.

We have also heard nothing but good things about the manner in which he skippered England Knights in Papua New Guinea, both on and off the field.

The way he goes about his business in training and in matches is an example for younger members of the squad, and Steve Price has been open with how highly he rates him.

There may be players ahead of him in the queue for the captaincy if and when that role does become available.

Mike Cooper would certainly be a popular choice with fans, while Ben Currie’s leadership qualities are also highly thought of at the club. Time is on the latter’s side, but much will depend on how he recovers from his second serious knee injury.

However, as long as Price is in charge, it is difficult to imagine Hughes not being in the conversation at the very least.

That may not have gone down so well with fans this time last year, perhaps, but now the Jack Hughes fan club is growing rapidly.