BLACKBURN Rovers defender Michael Gray is ready to put pen to paper on a new contract after helping to lead the club back into Europe.

The 31-year-old full back is out of contract this summer, but Rovers have offered him a new one as a reward for some consistent performances over the last nine months.

And the former Sunderland player is ready to sign it, providing one or two finer details can be ironed out by the two parties in the next round of talks.

As I understand it, Rovers have offered Gray a two-year deal, but various conditions relating to appearances and performance are built into the contract.

At the moment, it's those conditions which are proving the stumbling block, but a compromise is expected to be reached that will suit both parties.

"We're in talks and hopefully we can come to some sort of an arrangement because I'm really enjoying it here at the moment," said the defender.

"We've got a great bunch of lads and I want to be part of it for the next three, four or five seasons, hopefully, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

"I know I've got to work hard, but this is somewhere I want to stay and I enjoy every single day I come in for training.

"The longer I can stay here, the better it's going to be for my career because this is a club that's going places and I certainly want to be a part of that."

Gray has been virtually an ever-present in the team since he forced his way back into Mark Hughes' plans last September, and he was thrilled to play a key part in helping Rovers to a top six finish and a place in Europe.

"It's a great feeling (qualifying Europe)," said Gray.

"It's something that we've been striving for since the beginning of the season.

"We had a little bit of a wobble a few weeks ago when results weren't going for us, but we still had that belief - we've got strong character in the whole camp - and that shone out in the end."

Gray has previous experience of playing in Europe, having appeared for Celtic in the Champions League three years ago, but if he stays on at Ewood and plays for Rovers in the UEFA Cup next season, he reckons that will feel even more special'.

"I played in the Champions League with Celtic and it was an amazing feeling," added Gray.

"But to do it off the back of a full season of working hard makes this even more special, and it's something I'm never going to forget."

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