Chance to play is key for Bristol City loan signing Stephen McManus
Stephen McManus says the opportunity to play regular first team football will dictate his next move.
Starved of opportunity at Middlesbrough this season, the former Celtic defender had to go out on loan to Bristol City to find regular first-team football.
But his Ashton Gate stay is coming to an end and the Scotland international's future remains uncertain.
Desperate not to end up on the sidelines back at the Riverside, McManus insists he just wants to play games.
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City boss Derek McInnes has made no secret of his desire to sign at least one central defender during the current transfer window and could make a move to bring McManus back to Ashton Gate on a permanent basis once his loan spell ends on January 19.
Boro boss Tony Mowbray wants McManus off the wage bill, but the player is keeping his options open.
He told The Post: "My last game is against Leeds on January 19 and I still don't know what will happen beyond that.
"I will have to sit down with my family and discuss what is best for them.
"But for me, the only thing that really matters is that I am able to play football regularly.
"I've enjoyed working with Tony Mowbray and I cannot have any complaints about anyone at Middlesbrough. But as a footballer, I just want to play.
"Wherever I end up, I just want to be involved week in and week out. That is the most important thing for me.
"If I get the opportunity to play football here, then great. If it is somewhere else, then fine. I just want to play."
Although he missed a number of games while recovering from a knee injury sustained at Birmingham in November, McManus has made 10 appearances for City and done his prospects of securing a permanent move no harm at all.
He explained: "As I've said before, I enjoyed my first spell down here and I've enjoyed coming back this time.
"I would like to think I've not done too badly and that I have helped the team to some extent."
Comments
by piledriver
Wednesday, January 02 2013, 4:32PM
“The problem is that he's not really any better than Fontaine & Nyatanga so I'd like to see us sign two CB's.
I would only keep two of our current senior defenders.Cunningham & Carey.The rest could move on.Sad but when you'r conceding two goals a game that has to be stopped and the en***bents show no sign of acheiving this-We're still looking for our first clean sheet 25 games in.”