Cameron Lindsay is determined to nail down a midfield spot with the Wellington Phoenix next season after signing a new two-year deal with the A-League club.
The 19-year-old former Blackburn Rovers didn't get on the field this season. He said that was frustrating but hoped the experience he gained on the training ground would stand him in good stead next year.
"It could easily have been another one-year contract and I believe the two-year term means Ricki has faith in me to make the grade,'' Lindsay said.
"It sometimes wasn't easy this season, but I had to be patient in my first year at the club because there were obviously some very experienced players in the side, especially in midfield.
"In the almost four years I was at Blackburn I played all over the show, and while I would be happy to do the same here if required, I would love to cement a spot in the midfield, perhaps playing in front of the back four.''
Lindsay is also hoping to earn a place in the New Zealand under-23 Olympic squad.
"That would give me the chance to train throughout the off-season and I could hit the ground running when [the Phoenix] start again,'' he said.
"Should I not make the Olympic squad I will talk to Ricki about the option of perhaps going out on loan somewhere because I want to be in the best possible condition for the start of training.
"I've got to show every day that I am ready to make my debut and then go on and establish myself in the team.''
Herbert described Lindsay as "the future of the club'' and said he would be challenging for a first-team spot come the start of next season.
