Wanderers defender George Johnston has signed a new three-year deal at the club.

Johnston, who is currently sidelined by a cruciate ligament injury, was entering the final 12 months of his previous deal.

Ian Evatt says the 24-year-old centre-back is part of the club’s long-term plan and reckons he can keep improving after he recovers from injury.

“Losing George for the season came as a blow for him and us but we wanted to make sure he’s looked after and can concentrate on his recovery knowing his future is secure,” he said.

“He has performed excellently for us in the past two seasons to deserve this new contract and is very much part of our long-term plans.

“We also believe he has scope to keep on improving once he’s back to full fitness and we look forward to having him back as an important part of the squad again in the future.”

Johnston came through the ranks at Liverpool and headed overseas to join Feyenoord in the summer of 2019.

The defender had a loan spell at Wigan during the second half of the 2020/21 campaign before making a permanent switch to Wanderers the following summer.

He was an important member of Ian Evatt’s squad last season, making 45 appearances in all competitions as the Whites finished fifth in League One and won the EFL Trophy.

However, Johnston suffered a serious knee injury just 10 minutes into the first game of pre-season at Bamber Bridge.

The 24-year-old is now set to miss the upcoming League One campaign as Evatt’s men aim to keep progressing and continue their climb back up the divisions.

He follows Gethin Jones, Kyle Dempsey and Josh Sheehan, who have all signed new deals with the Whites this summer.