Burnley FC boss Brian Laws wants Graham Alexander on board

by Jack Failsworth. Published Sat 08 May 2010 10:51

Burnley FC skipper Graham Alexander is to be handed a new contract by manager Brian Laws.

Alexander is is out of contract in the summer but Laws feels the defender is crucial to his club’s attempt to return quickly to the Premier League.

Laws said: "Graham is part of my team and I not going to be opening the door, saying thank you very much, and shutting it behind him. We will be sitting down over the next week or so and I expect him to be here next season.

"He will still be strong on the playing side - the coaching will take care of itself - we don't want to detract from that.

"He will do that first and foremost as we don't want to take away his qualities as a footballer. Just because of his age, you can't say that's it.

"Graham has shown already this season he is more than capable of performing, more than capable of playing for 90 minutes. He has made a difference on the pitch. Long may it continue. It is about the quality of the player and the man."