Darren Byfield today declared ‘sign me up for life’ after the Walsall striker scored his 100th career goal.

The 33-year-old racked up a century with the consolation in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at home to Southampton as the Saddlers missed the chance to gatecrash League One’s play-off places.

Byfield’s contract expires next month, and, after scoring seven goals since his August return, he wants to end his career at the Banks’s Stadium.

He said: “I’m happy to be at home and want to stay, fingers crossed I can get a contract.

“The gaffer has said he wants me to stay at least until the end of the season so hopefully we’ll sit down soon and I can extend it to maybe the end of next season.”

Byfield has been a hit as the Saddlers try to break into the play-offs and is desperate to stay beyond January. He stressed talks are yet to start, but is hopeful a deal can be struck.

He added: “When you’re scoring goals other teams are sniffing around but I’m back in the Midlands and I want to stay here.

“I’d like to do everything here. A few of us are doing our coaching badges so I’d love to press on and coach here. Even now, listening to Martin O’Connor and the gaffer, it’s not listening just for myself, it’s picking up coaching tips.

“It would be brilliant, but I’ve still got years in me, I feel sharp and quick and I’m still doing it on the pitch.”