GEORGE BURLEY is hoping Martin Cranie's starring role in the play-offs will convince him his future lies at Saints.

Cranie was thrown in at centre half for the play-off semi-final second leg over a year after he started his last league game for Saints.

He performed superbly well and the 20-year-old has been offered a new contract by Saints boss George Burley to replace his current deal which expires this summer.

Cranie is understood to not be short on offers for his services with many Championship clubs reportedly showing an interest in snapping him up. But Burley is counting on that final day experience to convince Cranie to stay. He said: "There's no doubt the boy wanted first team football and that's the bottom line.

We loaned him out and he came back and played the last game and we offered him a new contract.

"I hope playing the last game would show that he has got a future at the club and we're hoping he will sign."

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