RICHARD Hope has told York City boss Chris Brass that he would like to extend his three-month contract at Bootham Crescent.

The former Northampton defender's current deal expires in the middle of December but he is keen to stay on City's books.

And Brass is likely to offer Hope a more permanent stay, having named him as the Minstermen's Man of the Month for October, a new award sponsored by Coppergate Jewellers Preston and Duckworth.

Hope was presented with a watch before Saturday's 1-0 home win over Doncaster and said afterwards: "My contract is up halfway through December and I would love to stay here because I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Everything's been brilliant.

"I have been talking already about a few bits and bobs and when it comes to the day when it runs out hopefully we will be able to thrash something out."

Brass confirmed he would like to tie Hope to a longer contract and negotiations would be starting soon.

"Richard has been working really hard on short-term contracts and he is repaying me," Brass said.

"Hopefully, in the near future we will be able to sort something longer out. He is happy here and I am happy with him and we want to tie him up."

The award, which will be presented every month to a player nominated by Brass, was given to Hope for his contributions on and off the pitch.

And the respect is mutual from the uncompromising centre-back

He said: "It came from the gaffer and I can't have more admiration for him. I have come in and he's made me settle in.

"The things we do in training are everything that should be done professionally and all the backroom staff are professional. I have gone about things the way I should have, the award's come and I am happy with it.

"In the Third Division you have to defend well and if you do that you have every chance of winning. I have got to head it and clear it, first and foremost.

"That's my job and I think I have defended quite well and the bonus then is if I get the ball, pass it and keep it."

Another clean sheet was another cause for City optimism and Brass reckons City are now reaping the rewards for having a settled back line.

Since Chris Smith was restored to the starting line-up alongside Brass and Hope in the centre of defence City have remained unbeaten in five league games.

"That has helped," said the City boss.

"We were able to change things around between us when we needed it and we trust each other."

City have conceded just 19 goals in 18 league matches but Saturday's victory was the club's first in eight attempts.

But despite that record, Hope believes spirits have remained high in the Minstermen's camp.

He said: "We've always had confidence. Doncaster had won six on the bounce in the League but anybody can beat anybody in this league and, if you look at goals conceded, we are right up there.

"I think we have conceded the fourth or fifth least. We just need to improve in the goalscoring charts but if we get a goal we feel confident we can hold on and keep a clean sheet.

"We set our stall out to keep a clean sheet and that's what we did against Doncaster. In the first half we came in at 0-0 and I think it was evens and could have gone either way but nobody really had many chances.

"In the second half we got the penalty and I think we played a bit better to get a deserved three points."

Updated: 12:31 Monday, November 17, 2003