Motherwell defender Steven Saunders has signed a contract extension that keeps him at Fir Park until the summer of 2012.

The 18-year-old has penned a one-year extension to his current deal after becoming a first-team regular under Jim Gannon.

Saunders, signed from Queen's Park youth ranks in 2008, played three games under Mark McGhee and has already made 13 appearances this term.

He said: "It was an easy decision to make to sign a contract extension.

"The manager has given young players a chance and that's good for me.

"I've had quite a few games now and this gives me the chance to keep working under him."

Gannon has been delighted with Saunders after moving him from right-back to his preferred position at centre-back and hopes to have the Rutherglen teenager available for Tuesday night's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final at St Mirren.

Saunders was forced off with a head knock moments after Ross Forbes netted Motherwell's first goal in the 3-3 draw against Saints on Saturday.

"He was a big loss when he came off, he had a brilliant game up to that point," Gannon said.