PAUL SCOTT is determined to play through the pain barrier and prove he is worth another Town contract.
The 24-year-old has seen eight of his mates agree new deals with manager Peter Jackson - all to stay at the club for two more seasons.
Scott was certainly in the running for fresh talks after a string of impressive centre-back displays earlier in the season.
But then he suffered a badly twisted left ankle in the victory at Darlington on Boxing Day.
Now, two months after surgery, he has completed a string of Reserve games and on Tuesday, replaced injured Nathan Clarke 34 minutes into the 1-1 Third Division home draw with Rochdale.
Clarke's misfortune - he has been ruled out for the rest of the season with ankle damage - has now opened the door for Scott.
"The specialist has said my ankle is going to be painful for a while as I'm training and playing but, hopefully, it will settle down soon," said Scott, from Wakefield.
"It is just something I've got to put up with for a couple of months and I'm just happy to be back, because the injury was quite severe.
"I knew it would be difficult to win back my place in the first team because the lads in defence have been doing brilliantly.
"I'm desperately sorry for Nathan, but now I want to force my way back in and try to earn a new deal."
Nat Brown was the latest to sign extended deals, following in the tracks of Danny Schofield, Phil Senior, Jon Worthington, Andy Holdsworth, Anthony Lloyd, David Mirfin and Clarke.
Scott is keen to join them and added: "We have got enough good players here to go up. We are in a good position and we'll get better."
