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Berra Keen to Extend Town Stay - Ipswich Town News

Christophe Berra admits he is open to the idea of signing a new deal to extend his stay at Portman Road.

Berra still has one more year to run on the contract he signed last July following his release by Wolves but boss Mick McCarthy has made no secret of his desire to persuade the player to sign a fresh, longer-term deal.

Scottish international Berra said: "I think the gaffer will speak to us during the summer when we come back. At the moment it’s just about seeing the last game out, winning that and then going away to enjoy a well-deserved summer holiday.

"We will come back ready for next season, another 46 games and trying to get into the play-offs or even the automatic promotion places.

"I would like to stay here. I’ve enjoyed my football this season and from a personal point of view I think I’ve played well. But at the moment I’m just looking forward to the last game and after that’s come along we’ll deal with it.”

His own feelings aside, Berra sees only good times ahead for a Town side transformed by McCarthy during his 18 months in charge, last season’s survival campaign followed this time around by a push for the coveted play-off places.

Berra added: "The foundations are in place and we’ve had quite a successful season. But we’re disappointed not to have got into the top six.

"Maybe through the summer we can bring in three or four new players to add a bit more quality. They will bring a new dimension to the team, provide extra options and can only enhance us.

"We can look back at this season and think we should have done this or that, but sometimes you just have to think ‘This is the hand we’ve been dealt’ and deal with it.

"Other teams will be the same. They have also missed out on the play-offs and will be looking to get better, which you do by adding better players to the squad.

"In the Championship, with so many games, it’s a squad game. You need to have cover for injuries when there are so many games to be played. The boys get tired.

"We have a good set of boys, a good changing room and a good manager who knows this league inside out and gets the best out of us. I doubt if any team likes to play against us.

"Our home record this season has been pretty good and our away form hadn’t been that bad until recently when it’s been about 50-50. There are little things we could do better on.

"I’ve had a good season, as has the team, and winning the supporters’ Player of the Year award gives me a lot of confidence. The fans appreciate me and must see something in me. It can only make me feel good about myself.

"Had we got into the play-offs it would have been a perfect season but we have just fallen a little bit short. We had a good crack at it and hopefully next season we will learn from our mistakes and come back better and stronger.”

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