OLIVER Wilkes has put pen to paper on a deal which will keep him with Barrow Raiders for the 2017 season.

The 36-year-old prop had previously spoken of his intention to put off plans to retire at the end of the season and continue playing for another year.

It has now been confirmed skipper Wilkes will be remaining at Craven Park as they bid to achieve promotion to the Kingstone Press Championship, having narrowly missed out in the League One play-offs this time around.

“It’s great news for the squad and club that Ollie has agreed to stay on for another year,” said Raiders director of rugby Andy Gaffney, adding: “It’s important to get the senior players of the team in place.

“To have Ollie’s experience in the camp is vital and he plays a big role within the club, both on and off the field. His professional attitude in training and playing is a great example for all players to follow.”

Wilkes joined Barrow from Championship outfit Leigh Centurions ahead of the 2016 campaign, with the former Scotland international going on to make 23 appearances for the club and scoring four tries.

The Raiders are expecting to announce more re-signings as well as some new faces joining the squad soon, and head coach Paul Crarey has been impressed with the quality of players who have expressed an interest in signing for the club.

“There are a few agents onto us and we have a list of players who want to come in,” said Crarey. “A few have approached us, which has been a bit of a shock to us with the calibre of player who wants to come here. They know people here and they like our style of football, and they’ve been to watch us play over the season with a view to moving.

“Until it’s over the line, we don’t like to say, but we’ve worked hard over the last few weeks trying to replace the players who are going so we don’t start doing it in November and December, and picking up players who just want clubs, rather than having an interest in Barrow rugby league.

“They’ve got to come with the right frame of mind and there are things in place for signings over the next three or four weeks, but we’ll just see how it materialises.”