Huddersfield Giants centre Joe Wardle has opted to extend his stay at the Super League leaders.

The 21-year-old, who has scored 30 tries in 57 appearances for the club, has extended his contract with the Giants until the end of the 2017 season.

His retention was viewed as a key part of the Giants’ long term plans and head coach Paul Anderson said: “We are pleased to recruit Joe on a long-term deal at the Giants.

“He has matured as player since his arrival at the club and, as he is only 21, I believe that his best years are still ahead of him.”

Wardle outlined his determination to continue improving and said: “I am pleased to have signed a new deal.

“The way the club has progressed over the past few years and the way it continues to progress, wanting to win things, it would be stupid to want to be anywhere else.

“I’m 21 and I still have a lot to learn and I learn a lot from playing alongside Brett (Ferres), Leroy (Cudjoe) and Danny (Brough) and I am sure that my best years are ahead of me.

“I will continue to try my best and improve and hopefully I will continue to play because of that.”

Giants’ Larne Patrick and Grant Millington, of Castleford, have both been charged with Grade A punching after Sunday’s Super League game, and both can submit EGPs.