"I had made the decision for myself a long time ago.

"I definitely want to stay because I have enjoyed it here this season and think we have a great chance of doing well next time.

"It is a club I have always held in high regard and, although there might have to be a bit of give and take on both sides, I am very hopeful we will be able to sort something out."

He also seems to regret leaving the club and makes a point of saying that it was "Out of his hands," and that if he had the choice he would have stayed on. Surely this means that when he was booed on return to the City Ground we were wrong?

Hopefully Joe Kinnear will manage to sign him up and with him having such enthusiasm for joining the club- the wages he requests should not prove too much of a stumbling block.