GEORGE BURLEY has shown his faith in Leon Best by offering the young striker a new contract.

The 20-year-old, pictured, missed the first spot kick in Saints' play-off semi-final defeat to Derby but has been offered the chance to make up for it by staying at St Mary's and firing the club back to the Premiership next season.

Best's current deal expires this summer and only a few months ago it seemed his time on the south coast was coming to an end as he struggled to get anywhere near the first team.

However, a prolific loan spell at Yeovil catapulted him back into the frame and he ended the season with goals to his name and the potential to win a regular place.

That has been rewarded with the offer of a new deal.

Saints boss Burley said: "Leon is out of contract but we have been in talks over the last couple of months and hopefully we are very close to agreeing a new deal."

Full story in today's Daily Echo