Aiton puts trust in Trinity’s progress by extending stay

It is paradoxical how revitalised Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have embarked on their finest run in three years just as they have lost their most consistent player.

However, coach Richard Agar knows it is simply one of those bizarre coincidences and, so, securing injured Papua New Guinea captain Paul Aiton to a new long-term deal always remained imperative in his plans.

The hooker, so influential before having his jaw broken during a mugging in Spain last month, has duly signed up until the end of 2015 to shine further light on the buoyant West Yorkshire club.

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The hope now is, with Trinity having thrillingly stunned St Helens 33-32 for a fourth successive win on Sunday, he will be fit in time to further bolster their ever-improving hopes of a surprise play-off place.

Aiton, 27, arrived from Cronulla Sharks at the beginning of the season, one of 17 new players who Agar has now fashioned into a squad playing some of the best football in the competition.

With just three games remaining, they lie only a single point adrift of Hull KR in the final play-off spot and they visit them next Sunday for what should be a fascinating contest on Sunday.

Aiton, who has caught the eye of many rival clubs this term with his authoritative displays, believes his decision says plenty about Trinity’s future.

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He was already contracted until the end of next season but has now extended that further still.

“It wasn’t a deal just to sign so I had something,” Aiton said.

“A lot of thought did go into it. I wanted to make sure that I was in a team that can compete and I really think that we can.

“It’s a big thing for both parties. For the club, because it goes beyond the current licence and players can see where the club is going and have a lot of confidence in it.

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“For me, it’s a big thing too because you’re putting your trust into a club and I do have a lot of trust in where we’re going. “

Agar added: “Paul’s a quality player and if anyone has given us value for money this year it’s probably him and Tim Smith, both in vital positions.

“He’s got an upgrade and it’s another indication that the players are in an environment that they’re really enjoying at the moment.”

Meanwhile, Hull KR’s selection for that crucial Trinity game could be affected after prop James Green was charged with raising his knee in the tackle against Bradford Bulls’ Tom Olbison.

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The incident came just minutes into his first-team debut during Friday night’s loss and he could now be banned for two games.

Green has until 11am today to decide whether to submit an early guilty plea.

Castleford Tigers scrum-half Jamie Ellis has the option of doing the same after being charged by the match review panel with a dangerous throw on London Broncos’ Kieran Dixon during a 42-20 home defeat.

Tigers chief executive Steve Ferres labelled that fourth straight loss “unacceptable” and promised “much-needed” changes.

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