SHAUN LUNT has today signed a new Giants contract extension until the end of 2015.

The 24-year-old England hooker was considering a move to the Australian NRL.

But the Cumbrian has now pledged his future to the Giants to provide a timely boost ahead of Saturday’s big Super League top-of-the-table home clash against St Helens (5.00).

And Lunt, left, is delighted a deal has been done.

“It’s absolutely brilliant to sort out my long-term future at the club,” he said.

“We have a fantastic playing squad here at the Giants, and I’ve a lot of friends in Huddersfield, both at the club and from the surrounding area.

“We have key members of the squad tied down to long-term contracts, with the likes of Kevin Brown, Danny Brough and Luke Robinson signed up, alongside lots of quality youngsters coming through.

“We have good depth to the squad with the mix of youth and experience and we will continue to push hard for honours.

“Although there was talk of playing overseas, to stay at the Giants is really important to me.

“So when the club came in with the offer for me to remain here I didn’t really hesitate in signing.

“I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.”

Wigan have rewarded controversial England forward Gareth Hock with a new five-year contract for successfully turning his life around.

And the back-row forward will be hoping to celebrate in style when he makes a return from a two-year drugs ban at home to the Giants on Friday, June 24.

Hock’s world collapsed in the summer of 2009 when he was handed a suspension for cocaine, shortly after playing for England against France in Paris.