Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have given former Hull KR second rower Frankie Mariano a new contract for 2013.

The 25-year-old, who has made 36 appearances since joining the club from Rovers two years ago, has been a key figure during the Wildcats' six-match winning run that has lifted them into the top eight of Stobart Super League.

"Frankie's really earned his new deal," said coach Richard Agar. "He has had a stop-start year.

"He wasn't hitting the levels that we needed him to hit for him to be a player that would contribute enough for our team.

"We laid some challenges down to him five or six weeks ago and he has now totally gone the other way and was once again one of our best players last week."

Mariano is the fourth Wildcats player to sign new deals after Paul Aiton, Tim Smith and Ali Lauitiiti were handed extensions.