FRANCIS BENALI has been rewarded for his 16 Saints seasons with a one-year extension to his contract.

His previous deal was due to expire this summer, leaving the popular club stalwart with the prospect of having to quit the club he has been part of since he became an apprentice at 16.

But now the 33-year-old has signed up until June 2003. He would dearly love to see out his playing days here and has already set his sights on battling back into the first team.

The rapid emergence and consistency of Wayne Bridge, who has not missed a minute of Premiership football since February 2000, means Benali has struggled to assert himself.

He has not started a Premiership match since the 3-1 home defeat by Manchester United in April 2000 and almost left to join Nottingham Forest after a successful loan spell there last season.

However Glenn Hoddle's departure gave him a chance to make a fresh start and he has provided Gordon Strachan with valuable back-up in recent weeks.

But Benali still feels he has more to offer and is determined to force his way back into the frame now that his immediate future has been resolved.

He said: "It is good to get it all sorted. It was all very straight-forward. Everyone knows how much this club means to me and that I do not want to leave.

"I would love to finish my playing career here so I am delighted with the extension. It gives me a bit of security and is a weight off my mind.

"I have enjoyed working with Gordon Strachan and Garry Pendrey and the rest of the staff and now it is just a case of trying to get back in. I have had to come to terms with not being automatic first-choice but things can change very quickly in football as recent injuries have shown.

"Football is much more of a squad game so I am just keeping myself as fit and as ready as I can."

Benali has been 17th man in recent games but stayed behind to work on his fitness when the first-team flew out to La Manga yesterday for a mid-season training break.