NIALL Annett does not want to face another agonising wait for a new Worcester Warriors deal as he hopes to have it “wrapped up as soon as possible”.

Uncertainty hung over the long-serving hooker’s future for much of last season until he put pen to paper in late April.

Annett was one of the last Warriors players to secure a new contract and the 28-year-old said the delay did “affect” him.

He is determined not to go through the experience again and aims to extend his long Sixways stay even further.

“I want to try to get my future wrapped up as soon as possible,” said Annett whose current deal expires next summer.

“That’s all I can say on it. Every rugby player wants to know what they are doing and where they are playing. Contract time is difficult.

“But that is probably going to be four or five months down the road anyway. Hopefully playing good rugby will make that (process) a lot easier.”

Annett, who missed the entire 2017-18 campaign due to injury, has made 79 appearances for Warriors since joining from Ulster in 2014.

“It would affect anyone (not knowing their future),” Annett said. “But I was comfortable that I was good enough.

“I wasn’t stuck without opportunities but it was very obvious to me what I wanted to do. Playing good rugby takes care of all of that.”

Annett’s latest contract came on the back of a string of impressive performances in the blue and gold after an injury-hit start to last season.

The Irishman has started Warriors’ first four Gallagher Premiership matches this term and hopes to keep a stranglehold on the number two shirt.

“I picked up an injury after the first two games of last season,” Annett said.

“Touch wood, I can keep fit like I did at the tail end of the campaign where I managed to put together 10 performances on the trot.

“It’s a very aggressive and combative sport so you are going to pick up knocks and injuries. Fingers crossed, I can avoid those for as long as possible.

“It took me a while after my knee injury to just find my rhythm and the pace of the game.

“I think Solly (Alan Solomons, director of rugby) would agree that it took me time to find my feet.

“I showed at the tail end of last season what I am capable of as a rugby player. I think I bring something slightly different.

“I started off pre-season trying to find my feet again like everybody does.

“But (against Leicester Tigers) I thought I showed more of what I did last year so I want to keep my head down, work hard and put those performances in.”

England hooker Jack Singleton left Warriors to join Saracens this summer but Annett believes the battle for a place in the front row is just as intense this term.

“The competition is as tough as it has ever been,” Annett added.

“Back to when I first joined there were four hookers here that were all quality and now we have got five.

“Premiership clubs are going to stock up on good quality hookers because it is a specialist position.

“Jack moving on to Sarries was a great opportunity for him but we have signed Matt Moulds who is clearly a very experienced Super Rugby player.

“We are five players deep with the likes of Isaac (Miller) who has trained brilliantly and Beck Cutting who has bags of potential as well.”