ACCRINGTON Stanley midfielder Jimmy Ryan is keen to concentrate on continuing his good form this season after insisting there is no rush to sign a new contract at the club.

Ryan has arguably been Stanley’s outstanding player this term, scoring five goals from a new position behind the lone striker, and the Reds have said they are making plans to offer the 22-year-old an extended deal to avoid losing him for a cut-price fee.

Stanley lost Michael Symes on a free transfer in the summer after the striker spent several months refusing to sign a new deal and Reds fans fear losing Ryan to a higher division club.

The Republic of Ireland under 21 international, whose current contract expires in June, would not be able to leave for free under the terms of the Bosman ruling because he is under the age of 24 but he has yet to receive an offer from the club.

And Ryan stressed that there is no urgency for an agreement to be reached, although he is pleased that the club are considering opening talks.

“I’m made up really,” said the midfielder, who missed Friday’s FA Cup defeat at Port Vale after sustaining a hamstring injury at Bradford three days earlier.

“I can’t really go and offer myself a new contract, so it’s up to the club what they do.

“I just concentrate on playing really, on the games. If I do well enough to earn a contract, then that’s good.

“I’ve had no talks at the minute but it’s still early doors. We’ve got until the end of the summer so there’s no rush.

“We haven’t really spoke about it all so there’s no point me commenting on it.

“We’re just waiting for whatever they decide to do but I’m here until the end of the summer so there’s no rush at all.”

Ryan played in a 4-4-2 for most of last season – albeit often on the right – and there had been some suggestions that he was keen to play in a central midfield two this term after going without a goal in the first 12 games of the current campaign, which has seen him play behind striker Terry Gornell in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

But he has since scored five goals in his last 10 games and insists he has enjoyed the switch of system this season.

“I like it more this year than I did last year,” he said.

“Last year I was more stuck on the right like a right winger, this year I can go in the middle, I can go on the right, I can go on the left. It gives me more of a loose role.

“I’ve liked this system since we started doing it because it gives you the chance to get forward and you still have your defensive duties to do.

“I think 4-4-2 would be a lot more stable but going forward this offers a lot more.

“I think I’ve played quite well and I’ve got five goals.

“I aim for double figures like I got a couple of seasons ago. If I can get double figures I’ll be happy.”