Penrith have re-signed exciting youngster Lachlan Coote until the end of the 2011 NRL season.

Coote burst onto the scene a month ago when he starred on his NRL debut in place of injured fullback Rhys Wesser and he has kept a place in Matthew Elliott's first grade side since.

The 18-year-old was originally on contract until the end of next year but the club announced his deal had been upgraded and extended by a further two years.

Panthers chief executive Michael Leary said Coote's rise to first grade was further proof of the talent Penrith's junior league was producing.

"We have maintained that the Panthers will keep pathways open for local juniors to make the top grade and Lachlan is another example of that," Leary said.

Coote suffered medial ligament damage in Saturday night's win over Wests Tigers, with scans expected to reveal the full extent of the injury on Tuesday.

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