OUT of contract Dean West is ready to put pen to paper on a new deal in an attempt to help Burnley go one better next season, having missed the play-offs by just one goal this time around.

The super consistent right back picked up 11 out of 15 player of the season awards for Clarets supporters' clubs last night and immediately said he wants to remain a Burnley player.

"I am very happy here and I want to stay," explained the 29-year-old who started more games than anyone.

"I think I have been in the best form of my life and it is great to play almost every game. It adds to your confidence if you feel settled in the side. I am out of contract but I have had seven years under Stan Ternent and I want to play more."

His unstinting efforts down the right flank were certainly appreciated by the Turf Moor faithful and he was a regular visitor to the podium during last night's awards evening in the James Hargreaves Suite.

"It has been a very special night for me," he said. "To get the awards from the fans means a lot and I appreciate every one of them."

Having been signed by Ternent in the summer of 1999 West was a regular in the promotion winning side but it was only late last season that he got a run in the side.

Mark McGregor's arrival in the summer from Wrexham was expected to put pressure on him in the right back position but week in week out he did his job and the new signing was never able to replace, just playing the one match when West was suspended against Stockport County.

West is one of several players who are out of contract in the summer but he believes he has a lot to offer the Clarets next season and for several years to come.

"To be honest that six months I spent sitting in the stand watching games last season will probably help to extend my career by a year," he said.

"Having watched for a long time I was determined not to lose my place once I got back in."

But as he picked up the bulk of the awards he was quick to praise those who play around him, not least the midfielders Paul Weller and Glen Little that he has linked so well with.

"It is great to play with them because you know you can give them the ball and they won't waste it."

The awards were the perfect tonic after the disappointment of Sunday, something West and his team mates are still finding hard to take.

"As right back you are near the touchline but I tried not to worry too much about what was happening elsewhere, especially in the first half," he explained.

"We were only bothered about our result and we went 1-0 up but then we realised we had to push further forward to get another goal. Near the end we were listening out but it wasn't to be."

It was West who put the ball in for Gareth Taylor's winning goal and he confessed: "It is great to know you have got Gareth on the back post ready to be picked out."

Now, like the rest of the team, he is looking forward to an unusually long summer break but champing at the bit to have another crack at promotion.