Lawton locked in by Titans

THE Titans have scored a coup, re-signing exciting utility Karl Lawton for three seasons until the end of 2020.

Lawton has become an NRL regular this season, playing 10 games, with only injury preventing him from turning out more often.

A versatile player, Lawton is capable of playing any position in the backline, as well as halves, hooker and back-row and upgrading and extending his contract is a strong move from the Titans.

And as a local junior whose brother Kayne also played for the club, Lawton said he was thrilled to be staying on.

“It’s unreal,” Lawton said of extending his tenure.

“Negotiations have been going for a while but I get to stay and play in the best place in the world.”

The 21-year-old won’t be in action against Souths on Friday night though after injuring his shoulder in the Titans’ loss to the Warriors on Saturday.

The injury is to the same shoulder Lawton dislocated earlier this year and is a blow for the youngster, who would have started at hooker on Friday with Nathan Peats on Origin duty.

“I had a bit of a knock in there but luckily they’re saying it’s not too bad.”

An understrength Titans will face Souths with several players unavailable through injury or Origin duty.

With Lawton injured and Peats in NSW camp, Pat Politoni is likely to make his Titans debut, with Tyrone Roberts set to return from injury in the halves to replace Kane Elgey (sternum).

Centre Konrad Hurrell is likely to overcome an ankle injury to play.