ANTON Rodgers is eyeing a contract extension beyond the expiry of his current deal this summer.

For most of the season Rodgers has been at the bottom of the pile when it comes to options in his position. However a combination of injuries and suspensions has seen him entrusted with the holding role at the base of the midfield in the wins over Peterborough and Rochdale.

Despite the limited opportunities presented to the 22-year-old he is enjoying his time at the County Ground, especially the philosophy of football employed by boss Mark Cooper.

With the expiration date of his contract on the horizon it is fortunate for Rodgers that he has got some game time towards the business end of the season.

The Republic of Ireland youth international was released after a single season at Oldham last season and it is clear Rodgers would like to secure his future longer-term at his latest club.

"I would love to stay here,” Rodgers told the local media. "I love it here and the philosophy that they've got in place is perfect and it's suited both ways.

“I've not played as much as I would like, but I haven't been unhappy or unsettled - just purely from a player's point of view you want to play games.

"You train every day to play. But it hasn't unsettled me in any way, I've just carried on doing what I'm doing and we'll see at the end of the season what happens.

"It will take care of itself, you can't think about (a contract extension) too much and we'll just see what happens."

On his recent shot in the first team Rodgers is remaining even-keeled. With other options ahead of him in the pecking order, he knew it would be a case of biding his time and making the most of the opportunity when it came his way.

"That's just the nature of the game - there are going to be suspensions and injury - that's how I got my chance and I like to think that I've taken it,” he added.

"It's just concentrating on how I'm playing and we'll just see what comes Saturday if I'm playing.

"I like to stay involved with the group - it's important not to get detached. The coaching staff have been brilliant, talking to us and putting on good sessions on Sundays when the team are recovering.

"It's also important that we stay professional and make sure we do what we can do - my chance has just come out of nowhere and I just got to be ready to take it.”

The Swindon Advertiser was not permitted to attend today’s Town press conference.