PLAYER of the year and penalty hero Nick Colgan has handed Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie a boost ahead of his summer recruitment drive by declaring he wants to stay at Oakwell. The Irish shot-stopper is one of the players out of contract and although he is yet to sign a new deal, the 32-year-old admitted he would like to commit his future to the Reds. “I need to sit down with the chairman and the chief executive before I go on holiday,” he said. “Hopefully we can get something done and dusted because as a player you always want to get your future sorted. “Next year is going to be very very difficult and hopefully the chairman can chuck the manager a few quid and he will be able to strengthen what is already a decent squad.”

Andy Ritchie has already admitted he wants to take the majority of his squad with him into the Championship and news that Colgan wants to stay will have made this week’s contract negotiations slightly easier. Although Colgan’s first season with the club ended with him being shipped out on-loan to Dundee United, the ‘keeper’s contribution to this season cannot be underestimated. He is regarded as one of the dressing room’s characters, which was evident after the game on Saturday.

For someone who had just played a major part in his side’s epic play-off final victory, he seemed mighty relaxed and even quipped ‘Who’d be a ‘keeper hey, you must be mad,’ It was Colgan’s mistake for the second goal that gifted Swansea the lead but he turned out to be the hero in a fairytale ending. “I was obviously gutted because the season in general has gone well for myself,” said Colgan. “Had we lost the game 2-1 the whole season would have been remembered for that mistake but the lads dug deep, as they have done all season and they dug me out of a hole. “I am very grateful to them.