Page went on loan to Stirling Albion in March

Defender Jonathan Page hopes to follow the example of team-mate Ross Forbes after winning a one-year contract extension with Motherwell.

The 19-year-old Page is now contracted until 2012, having spent recent months on loan to Stirling Albion.

"Going on loan had a really positive effect on Ross Forbes, who returned from Dumbarton a much better player.

"He made a big impact on the first-team last year. Hopefully I can do something similar myself," said Page.

The Englishman signed from Portsmouth in summer 2008 and, after being praised for his performances in Motherwell's under-19 side, made his first-team debut in July in the Europa League qualifier against Llanelli.

My main aim now is to try to claim a place in the first-team squad Motherwell central defender Jonathan Page

But he fell out of the picture under Jim Gannon and, when Craig Brown took over as manager, Page was loaned to Stirling.

He played 16 times for Albion, netting twice, and secured a league winners' medal as Allan Moore's side won promotion from Division Two.

Brown and assistant Archie Knox watched Page in action for the Forthbank outfit and expect him to push for a first-team place next season.

"It's brilliant to have signed an extension," Page told Motherwell's website. "It gives me a little more peace of mind.

"My main aim now is to try to claim a place in the first-team squad.

"My spell with Stirling was very beneficial, indeed, as you can't replicate the benefits of competitive first-team football."

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