Veteran defender David Burrows has set his sights on regaining a first team place after recovering from a nasty knee injury far sooner than expected.

The 31-year-old is desperate to play his way back into contention and earn himself a new contract for next season.

Although chairman Bryan Richardson told the player three months ago that he would be talking to his agent about a new deal, that has not transpired but the player is not too worried.

He said:

"If the club want to offer me something then they will come to me, I am not going to go to them asking for a new deal.

"That issue has to be put on the backburner while I try and regain my place in the side which will not be easy because Steve Froggatt has come in their and done a good job.

"The good thing about Steve is that he has played there before and he knows the position so it was not like having to use somebody totally out of place.

"He has been a very good stand in because he also gives you attacking options in the last third of the pitch.

"It is not like Paul Telfer on the other side, who to be fair to him has had to come in and play in a position that he has not been used to."

Burrows has been sidelined since October after damaging the cruciate ligament in his knee, but he now thinks the injury is fully recovered.

"I actually twisted the cruciate ligament but it did not need surgery – just rest.

"I was given a comeback time of 10 – 12 weeks by the physio but only nine have gone by and I am back in full training and feeling really good."