Widnes determined to keep Whitley

Widnes chief executive James Rule says the club will do everything in its power to keep young star Matt Whitley.

Whitley, 21, has been linked with a move away from the Select Security Stadium after an impressive season last year saw him narrowly miss out on the Super League Young Player of the Year award.

But Rule said recent newspaper speculation was mischievous and confirmed that Whitley was under contract until the end of 2018.

Speaking in one of three video interviews hosted by Terry O’Connor, Rule said: “Matt’s another one of those talented players that we want to keep long term. We have spoken to him (about a new deal) and we are speaking to him.

“We’ll do everything in our power to keep him.

“From our point of view, actions speak louder than words. After his third appearance in the first team we gave him a three-year deal, so we know his importance.

“Within our structure we’ll do our best to keep everybody.

“We’ve got Matt for this year and next year as a minimum, and we hope it’s a lot longer than that.”

Whitley started out in the youth set-up at St Helens before coming through the Vikings academy.

Saturday’s draw against Catalans was his 50th first-team appearance for Widnes.