MARTIN McINTOSH is eager to be part of the Andy Ritchie era at Town.

The veteran centre-back - out of contract this summer - fell out of favour under previous manager Peter Jackson and was told he wouldn't play for the club again.

But in a situation which mirrors that of midfielder Mark Hudson, who joined Town on the same day in June 2005, McIntosh came back into the frame under caretaker boss Gerry Murphy.

And the 36-year-old Scot played his second League I game under Ritchie as Northampton were held 1-1 at Sixfields on Friday.

Hudson, 26, who joined from Chesterfield and is also out of contract, said in the wake of the 4-2 home win over Millwall that he wanted to be at the Galpharm next season.

McIntosh, recruited from Rotherham, is of the same mind, saying: "I'm confident I've got something left in the tank.

"I believe I'll be playing league football next season, and I'd love it to be for Town.

"I've gone on record before about how I feel about this club and nothing's changed.

"It's a well-run operation, the stadium is fantastic and the fans are brilliant."

Town aren't short of centre-backs.

David Mirfin, a mainstay this season, and the Clarke brothers, Nathan and Tom, who are both due back next time around after nasty knee injuries, are all under contract.

As well as McIntosh, decisions must be made on experienced former Chelsea player Frank Sinclair, the Burnley loan man who has also said he is keen to stay, John McCombe and Adam Wilson, whose first-year professional's contract expires in June.

"At the end of the day, it's up to Andy Ritchie," added McIntosh, who served his apprenticeship at Tottenham but made his break into senior football back in his native country with Clydebank.

"I haven't yet spoken to the manager about the nitty-gritty of what's going to happen, and that's fair enough, because he's got to assess a lot of things in a short space of time.

"I presume we'll find out next week, after getting the final match (at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday) out of the way."

As well as his spell on loan at Grimsby earlier this season, McIntosh has also played for Hamilton, Stockport and Hibernian.

But he says he has never found himself in this situation before.

"In the past, I've tended to have longer-term contracts and been transferred before they end, so it's all pretty new to me," he explained.

"All I can do is concentrate on doing my best in training and matches, and I certainly hope to be involved against Orient.

"I felt I didn't reach the standard I set myself against Millwall, but I was happier about the way I played against Northampton."

His contribution included a key first-half clearance to deny on-loan Reading striker Simon Cox and an assist for David Mirfin's 75th-minute equaliser (Andy Holt had put the home side ahead in the 63rd minute).

"With the clearance, it was just a case of doing my job and tracking back," he said.

"Cox broke clear and (goalkeeper) Matt Glennon did really well to block his first attempt.

"I saw him shape to shoot again and just hoped he didn't hit it too hard and put it beyond me.

"Luckily I got in the line of the ball and was able to clear it.

"As for the equaliser, I saw the ball being cleared to the edge of the box and just tried to get it back into the danger area.

"Mirf got in a great header, and I thought we fully deserved the goal.

"Much was made of the fact that it was the first one scored by a defender this season, and after getting four last time, I am disappointed not to have matched that.

"I've been close quite a few times - I had one header saved on Friday - but close isn't good enough!

"At least Mirf has managed to stick one in, and who knows, one of us might nick one against Orient!"