LEE CLARK says he will be more than happy to see Gary Roberts sign a new Town contract.

The 27-year-old wing star is a key part of the manager’s plans for the forthcoming season and beyond.

His current deal runs until next summer, but extension talks are ongoing with the man signed from Ipswich for a reported £250,000 in August 2008.

Having originally signed two-year terms, Roberts agreed a fresh three-year contract after being named Town’s player of the season for 2008-09.

“Gary’s a great asset to this club, a terrific player with an excellent work ethic,” said Clark, himself in new-contract talks.

“The fact that I almost always play him when fit is a sign of how highly I rate him, and he’s one of the best wide players outside the Premier League.”

Roberts, a former Liverpool junior who won the Conference with Accrington Stanley in 2006, scored 12 goals in 50 games last season to take his overall Town tally to 32 in 147 appearances.

He has four England semi-professional caps from his time with Stanley.

l Town’s Carling Cup first-round tie at Port Vale will take place on Tuesday, August 9 (7.45).