Another shoulder injury has not stopped utility Karl Lawton re-signing with Gold Coast Titans for another three NRL seasons.
Lawton, 21, has not played since re-injuring his troublesome shoulder in their round 14 loss to New Zealand Warriors a month ago.
It is the same shoulder he dislocated earlier this year.
However, Lawton showed enough this season to earn a deal that will keep him at the Titans until the end of 2020.
Lawton, who made his NRL debut in round 17 last year, became a first grade regular this season, playing 10 games.
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The local junior has impressed at the Titans with his ability to cover any position in the backline, as well as the halves, hooker and back-row.
"It's been a rough period with injuries but I'm excited for what the future holds," Lawton said.
"I probably see myself as more of a hooker but I'm happy in that utility role and I just want to get back to playing footy again and being in that 17 somewhere."
Lawton joins Ash Taylor, Kane Elgey, Jarryd Hayne, Ryan James, Jarrod Wallace and Kevin Proctor in re-signing until 2018 and beyond.
"He has proved himself to be a good utility," Titans coach Neil Henry said.
"He has had a tough run with injury but we're glad that he has committed to the club for the next three years."
