ANTOINE Van Der Linden has hinted that his future may lie away from the County Ground.

The Dutchman was the last player off the pitch after Saturday's win over Peterborough and threw his shirt into the crowd.

He has refused to say whether it was a goodbye gesture, but it was certainly interpreted that way.

The central defender has developed a strong bond with the fans and thanked them for helping him through a difficult first season at the club.

But Van Der Linden has admitted that other clubs are interested in signing him, with at least two First Division sides among those wanting to secure his services.

He said: "I felt I have done well enough to stay in the team but for one reason or another it has not happened that way.

"There have been a few occasions where I have been man of the match but then dropped for the next match."

Although disappointed that he has failed to win a regular place this season, the player loves the club and his team-mates. He is

delighted that tomorrow's game at Stoke will no longer determine Town's fate.

Van Der Linden said the season had not panned out as he had hoped it would.

He said: "I expected much more. I thought we would be challenging for promotion, not fighting relegation. I have been a professional footballer for five years.

"I have never been relegated and I never want to be.

"All season I have been in and out of the team. You just want to play football. That is all any player wants.

"It takes time to adjust to life in a new country and a new style of football.

"I don't know what is going to happen next year, but I want to say that I will be giving it everything in the last match if the gaffer puts me in the team or on the bench.

"If I am in defence, I will do everything to try and keep Stoke out but if I end up being pushed forward then I will try to get that goal."

Van Der Linden has netted just once for Town, in the 1-1 draw at Wrexham, but did play as an attacker in his youth before reverting to defence.

He said: "I want to end this season with a win. We should not have been struggling in this way but we are safe now and that is the most important thing."

He said he was especially pleased for Town's loyal supporters.

"They are absolutely top class. They have given me and the team a lot of support this season, sometimes when they have not had much to shout about."