TOWN have offered Frank Sinclair a one-year contract.

The experienced 35-year-old played 13 games on loan from Burnley this season.

The ex-Chelsea, Leicester and Jamaican international was brought in from Turf Moor by Peter Jackson.

Now new Town boss Andy Ritchie wants to keep him at the Galpharm.

Sinclair had showed his desire to remain by agreeing to waive a clause in his original loan contract which would have guaranteed a season-long deal after nine outings.

That milestone arrived during the time Gerry Murphy was in caretaker charge.

But Sinclair wanted to give any new manager chance to make his own assessment.

That man was Ritchie - and he has been impressed.

"Frank has versatility, lots of experience and fitness," said Ritchie, who yesterday released seven out-of-contract players.

"He can play right-back or centre-back and while he may be 35, he has kept himself in great condition and remains a real athlete.

"You only had to watch him plough up and down the wing for 90 minutes against Orient last Saturday to realise that.

"He is great in the air given he's not the tallest and he has bags of enthusiasm, both in matches and training.

"Frank has played at the highest level, including the World Cup (for Jamaica in 1998), but he's a very down-to-earth type, and he's more than willing to impart his knowledge to the younger lads we have here."

Ritchie is now awaiting confirmation that Sinclair, winger Danny Racchi, who has also been offered a 12-month deal, and right-back Aaron Hardy (six months) are happy to put pen to paper.

He will not pursue earlier interest in Manchester United striker Phil Marsh.