Steven Saunders is looking to build on his meteoric rise after establishing himself as a Motherwell first-team regular less than 18 months after being plucked from Queen's Park's youth team.

Saunders is one of a number of young players who have made themselves a central part of Jim Gannon's team, but the 18-year-old's rise has been more rapid than any of them.

Saunders was signed by youth development manager Gordon Young last summer and made three appearances at right-back as former boss Mark McGhee negotiated an injury crisis in December.

While his debut came through necessity, many of his 11 starts this season, most of them in his preferred position at centre-back, have come at the expense of club captain Stephen Craigan.

Saunders is now set to sign a contract extension after agreeing in principle to extend his stay at Fir Park until 2012.

"I came to Motherwell at the start of last season," said the Rutherglen teenager, who is likely to retain his place for the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League clash at St Mirren.

"It was good to get a couple of games last year. It was unexpected so that was a bonus.

"A lot of the guys who are here I used to play against in the under-15s, 17s and 19s and coming in and getting first-team football last year was a great experience.

"I just wanted to build on that. I wasn't expecting to be in this year but the way it has happened I've progressed quite well.

"I've played quite a lot of games this season and it has exceeded all expectations I had myself.

"It's a step up playing SPL football but I'm getting used to it now."

Saunders added: "I like to play centre-half. I came through the Queen's Park youth system playing centre-half for five years, so I want to keep playing there.

"But in the modern game you need to play a couple of positions and I feel as if I can do that."

Craigan came back as Saunders was rested for the 1-0 victory over Falkirk, but the teenager returned to help Well keep a clean sheet in their draw at Celtic Park last weekend.

However, the Northern Ireland international is one of a number of defenders willing to pass on tips to Saunders.

"He gives me advice in training, as does Mark Reynolds, but also the gaffer used to be a centre-half himself so he gives me a lot of tips," Saunders said.

"He works a lot on the shape and tactics and it's working just now."

Saunders is poised to follow Ross Forbes and Shaun Hutchinson in signing an extended contract and the injured Paul Slane is also on the manager's list.

Gannon said: "These things are complicated with agents and the intricacies of long-term contracts.

"But I'm delighted to be slowly but surely adding each player to the long-term plans of the club."