BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
Raith Rovers have been handed a boost after highly-rated defender David Bates agreed a one-year contract extension.
The 19-year-old was handed his first-team debut by manager Ray McKinnon back in July and has gone on to make 14 appearances in total for Rovers this term.
In September, the teenager was loaned out to Brechin City, where he played another 10 times, but was recalled by Raith due to injuries in November and has impressed in some high-profile outings for the Championship outfit.
With Bates’ fellow-defenders, Lewis Toshney and Kyle Benedictus, also signed up for another 12 months, McKinnon has already put in place the foundations of his squad for next season.
He said: “David has certainly taken his chance following the recent injuries to Jason Thomson and Lewis Toshney, and it is great to see his development, both in training and as he gains more and more first-team experience.
“Batesy has a great future in the game if he continues to stick in, and it’s great that he has committed himself to Raith Rovers for another season.
“That’s us now got Toshney, Benedictus and Bates all tied up already for next year, which is tremendous.”
