Martin would love Surman to extend his stay

Andrew Surman's performances in an MK Dons shirt could earn him yet another contract extension, according to Russell Martin, just weeks after he signed his last.

The 34-year-old's deal was up in January but signed a new contract to see him to the end of this season at Stadium MK. Despite an injury setback just days after inking the deal, Surman returned to the squad last week and was one of the stand-out players in an all-round excellent showing during the 4-1 win at Rochdale on Tuesday night.

The former Bournemouth man has impressed Martin during his 15 appearances since November, and the manager admitted he would love to keep Surman beyond the end of the season.

"If he carries on doing what he's doing, he's someone I'd like with us for a bit longer than he's currently due to be," said Martin. "He has a lot to offer us on the pitch and the young guys off it, how he goes about his day-to-day business.

"You only have to tell him things once – that's what happens with the top players. He's a brilliant example to the younger players.

"He knows what it's like at the top level, he knows what good looks like, knows how to be professional and perform regardless of the situation. He's fit in so well, which I knew he would.

"He was our best player on Tuesday. He gives the players so much confidence because they trust him so much on the ball. He's just a brilliant footballer, a brilliant character, always smiling and positive, really enjoying playing football again. He was a bit rusty after effectively a year out of football but he has come back and has been great.

"He's only going to get better. He really enjoys what we're doing, he buys into the model of what we're trying to build and has so much more to offer."