DOUBLE SIGNING BOOST FOR BLUEBIRDS

HOILETT AND PELTIER COMMIT TO WARNOCK’S BLUEBIRDS REVOLUTION

NEIL Warnock has tied down winger Junior Hoilett after persuading the Bosman signing to stick with the Bluebirds ahead of a promotion push.

And the Cardiff City boss has made it a double contract boost by agreeing a year-long extension for defender Lee Peltier.

Hoilett impressed in South Wales having been brought in as a free-agent just weeks after Warnock was appointed as Paul Trollope’s replacement back in October.

The 26-year-old made 33 appearances as Warnock’s revitalised side eased away from relegation worries, scoring twice in the process and seeing Warnock keen to keep hold of the former Blackburn and QPR man.

Hoilett had insisted he was happy to stay in South Wales having enjoyed being back under Warnock’s charge, and has lived up to his word by agreeing a new one-year deal. Hoilett had been free to join rival clubs this summer at the end of his short-term deal, but Warnock had been content the Canada international would sign up for next year’s planned push for the play-offs.

And he will be joined by Peltier who, having been praised by Warnock, has been handed a new deal to keep him at the club until 2019.

Peltier, 30, had a year on his existing contract left to run, but Warnock was eager to reward the player he has spoken of as an unsung hero, as well as ensure he could count upon an important player in the dressing room. The 30-year-old arrived at Cardiff City Stadium in January 2015 having been snapped up from Huddersfield by then-manager Russell Slade.

The Liverpudlian – who played under Warnock previously at Leeds – has made 86 appearances for Cardiff since, able to cover all positions at the back.

Like many others in the Bluebirds squad, Peltier has spoken warmly about Warnockl’s impact at Leckwith, something he says made it easy for him to agree to a further year at the club.

And he insisted he’d be disappointed if the first of those didn’t include a push for promotion as he waits for the veteran manager’s summer rebuilding to fully take shape.

“You can see what he has done since he came in and he wants to have a good go at it next season,” Peltier said on his manager after the new contract was announced by the club.

“That was a massive influence on me putting pen to paper to stay longer because I’ve bought in to what he wants to do and hopefully it works.

“He’s going to add a few more players to the squad that will improve us so it should be a good season. Towards the back end of last year you could see what we’re about and we’re not far off. I’d be disappointed if we’re not up there contending with the play-offs.”

Warnock has already wrapped up a new contract for striker Kenneth Zohore while snapping up the Bosman transfers of goalkeeper Neil Etheridge from Walsall and winger Nathanial Mendez-Laing from Rochdale.

He has been linked with Danny Ward of Rotherham and has already held talks over a significant attacking move, with Southampton’s Sam Gallagher believed to be one target and Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes another.

Warnock is adamant Kadeem Harris will also agree new terms after the end of his existing deal allowed him to open talks with Championship rivals, the Yorkshireman keen to push on with further deals ahead of the start of pre-season later this month.

“We’re looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season and getting going again,” Peltier added.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here up to now and hopefully I can enjoy it even more.”