FEARS of an exodus of players from Durham were allayed yesterday by Mark Wood signing a new three-year contract.

The 26-year-old paceman's central contract for Test cricket was renewed last month, but his injury record means he will have to prove his fitness in county cricket.

After being ruled out of this winter's tours by a fractured ankle, Wood is keen to help Durham get off to a good start next season in their attempt to overhaul a 48-point deficit at the foot of division two.

He also stressed that he wanted a three-year deal to prove his commitment to the county following the departures of Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick to Surrey.

“I’m delighted with the deal - I was desperate to stay,” he said.

“Three years was one of my main drivers. I wanted to make sure I was here to make a difference for a long period of time.

“The recent setback we have had gives us a chance to make a big impact and hopefully, along with my England duties, I can push the club forward in a good light.

“I’m a North East lad. I’ve been here since I was 16 or 17 and I want to make a difference for this club.”

Chief executive David Harker said: “A three-year deal shows commitment from both parties. There was a great willingness to get a new deal sorted and we are delighted to have got this over the line. We’re glad to be supporting him throughout a time when he will be reaching the prime stages of his career.”

Wood expected to start last season by proving his recovery from ankle surgery in the Durham team. But a second operation was required and it was mid-season before he returned.

He impressed in the one-day internationals and his explosive bowling in the NatWest T20 Blast semi-final win against Yorkshire provided one of the highlights of Durham's season.

Despite still suffering some discomfort from his ankle, he played in the penultimate championship match against Surrey, when Durham thought victory had ensured a 12th successive season in division one.

He got through 35 overs in short spells, but emerged with the new injury, which was confirmed shortly after the ECB announced their punishment for Durham seeking a financial bail-out.

Wood said at the time that he had gone into the game 60 per cent fit because he was desperate to help Durham stay up.

They would not have risked him had they known they were to be relegated anyway, although it transpired that had been the ECB's intention for some time.