DEFENDER Gary MacKenzie would happily consider the chance to make his stay at Valley Parade permanent in the summer.

But the big Scot, who has been on loan from Blackpool since January, admits he is still in the dark about his future.

MacKenzie has played 11 times for City after ten months on the sidelines following an Achilles injury, which had been wrongly diagnosed.

He is out of contract with Blackpool at the end of the season and is waiting for the next step – which he hopes will involve an offer from Phil Parkinson.

MacKenzie said: "Of course I would be interested. I've enjoyed my time here and loved playing in front of the big crowds.

"There's going to be an expectation about trying to reach the next level at some point after having a good season. The fans will want us to kick on.

"They've had a good time this season regardless and they will be looking for the club to take the next step and getting into the Championship. I'd obviously be interested to be part of that but we need to wait and see."

Following the long lay-off, MacKenzie has focused on the football – but the uncertainty regarding his own position remains a constant factor.

"Any football player who's got family they need to provide for always worries about the future," he said ahead of tomorrow's trip to Sheffield United.

"It's about being able to try and put that to one side and concentrate on playing after being out for so long. There's always that worry but you've got to try and keep it at the back of your mind.

"People need to see you are over your injury and back playing. It makes the situation a bit better. But I'm still no further forward with what's happening next season. I've had no word from Blackpool or from here.

"That's obviously frustrating because I've got a family and would like to know where I will be. But I'm 29, I can put that to the back of my thoughts and focus on the games. That's what I'll keep trying to do."

MacKenzie has been playing through the pain for the past two games after damaging ankle ligaments at Doncaster on Good Friday – City's only win in the sudden slump that has seen them disappear from play-off contention.

He suffered the injury from a challenge while scoring his first goal for the club and recalled: "It limited my celebrations a little bit when I was lying on the ground.

"Not that I was planning to tear my shirt off or anything like that – but I would have given a bit more than I did!

"But ankle aside, I feel good in my body. I'm just glad to be back playing and getting through 90 minutes again.

"We'll get to the end of the season and see what happens. I'm sure there will be options and I just need to sit down and think about what's best for this stage of my career.

"As a centre back, the next four years should be the main ones. I need to get the right move.

"There's also my family situation. I've been down here for three months and seen my kids twice in that time because they are in Scotland.

"It's not ideal but that's football. I understand that and so does my missus and you just get on with it for the benefit of your future."