SAINTS striker David Connolly is desperate to remain at St Mary’s for a third season.

The 33-year-old is out of contract this summer, and is eager to open talks about a new deal.

Connolly, pictured, has made a valuable contribution to Saints’ promotion push in the last few games.

His late equaliser in Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win at Brighton was an enormously important strike.

And he started his first game in over seven months in Monday’s 2-0 success over Hartlepool.

Nothing has been discussed yet with regards to a new contract, but Connolly revealed he would be open to coming back next season – providing Saints want him.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “I still feel young and I’ll be one of the fittest around.”

He added: “I’ve got so much in me.

“It’s up to the club, I don’t know what they’re thinking.

“For example, if I hadn’t come on (against Brighton), no one would have been saying anything about me, and I’d be in the same position.”

Former Saints manager Alan Pardew signed Connolly on a free transfer in October 2009.

Before that, the former West Ham and Sunderland man had been out of the game for 18 months due to injury.

His health has, at times, been a problem for him at St Mary’s.

Since joining the club, he has made 16 starts in all competitions, alongside 21 substitute appearances, while scoring nine goals. But Connolly, whose start against Hartlepool was his first since Nigel Adkins’ debut game in charge of Saints, insists he has been at full fitness for months now, and is ready and raring to go.

“I’m fit, I feel good, I train very well and look after myself, and I’m here if I’m needed,” he said.

Connolly added that he has had no problem with his primary role on the substitute’s bench.

And he says he has enjoyed watching the great form of Rickie Lambert and Lee Barnard.

But the veteran forward is also relishing the chance to get some playing time again now.

“I’ve never gone to see the manager about not playing or anything like that, but it’s just nice to get on the pitch,” said Connolly.

“I wouldn’t say I should be ahead of anybody at the club.

“We’ve got terrific strikers. Rickie, Barney, I’m their biggest fans.

“But, obviously, unless you get on the pitch you don’t feel like you’re contributing.

“It’s difficult at a club. You want to help and feel part of it.

“I felt part of it the last few games, I’ve been helping, and hopefully that will continue."