MOTHERWELL centre-half Stephen McManus is hoping he can earn a new deal as he eyes more years at the top.

The former Celtic man has been at Fir Park for three years and has been a regular fixture in the Well backline.

McManus was part of the team that held firm during Saturday’s 1-0 Lanarkshire derby win, a result that helped elevate Motherwell into seventh in the Ladbrokes Premiership table.

The 33-year-old’s current deal is up at the end of the season, and he confessed he believes he still has plenty to offer as he seeks a quick resolution to his contract situation.

“I am up in the summer,” said the defender. “As a footballer, you want to get that sorted as soon as possible.

“I am 33 now and I still feel I am more than capable of playing for another few years here, no question.

“I am fit, I am playing well and I have only missed one game and that was because of suspension.

“I just need to look after myself and do as well as I can and then we can see what the future brings.”

McManus enjoyed a relatively comfortable afternoon at New Douglas Park as a tame Hamilton did little to trouble Motherwell over an enthralling 90 minutes.

Louis Laing got the goal for the Steelmen on the stroke of half-time, and even though Louis Moult would miss from the penalty spot late on, it was a convincing win for Mark McGhee’s team who now go within a point of a top-six place.

"The top six has been in our thoughts for a while,” said McManus. “That's why losing the last-minute goals has been so frustrating.

“If we hadn't lost those goals, we'd probably be up at fourth or something but it is what it is. The most important thing is to try to get the victories and then move on to the next game.

"Every time you get a win, there's a change in the table so we're very much aware of how things are going. We've got the points on the board, which is good.

“We don't have any games in hand but the good thing is that the teams with games in hand are playing against each other but we're just trying to concentrate on our own form.

"The performances have deserved more points than we have on the board, when you look at the last-minute goals we've conceded.

"It's nice to come away from home, be hard to beat and get the clean sheet and the victory."