11/07/2008 - Tyson: I'll earn a better deal
Nathan Tyson today pledged to prove he is worth an improved contract offer from Nottingham Forest.
Paul Taylor
But the striker also warned he might walk away on a free transfer next summer if he is not a regular in Colin Calderwood's new-look front line.
Tyson is relishing the prospect of playing alongside new signings Andrew Cole and Robert Earnshaw and hopes to prove he is over his injury problems - and therefore worthy of a better deal, with his current contract set to expire in 12 months.
The former Reading and Wycombe man, who has twice suffered serious knee ligament injuries in the past two seasons, revealed that he has rejected an offer of an extension from the club that he felt was 'not worth signing'.
But he also says the club have promised to offer him further improved terms if he proves he is fully fit and recovered from his most recent knee ligament injury, which kept him out at the start of last season.
And he is now focused on doing exactly that.
"I was offered a contract and it was not worth signing. It was not what I wanted," said Tyson.
"They have said that I have to prove myself and I will - then get a better offer.
"As far as I am concerned, I have a year left on my contract... which means we have a whole year left to talk about it.
"I am keen to stay but, at the end of the day, if the season starts and I am not playing, I might as well look at leaving on a free when my contract expires. I'll be honest about that.
"It is not me being greedy, I don't care much about money. But I want to be playing football, I want regular football.
"I have to stay injury-free. The club want me to prove I am fit. I am happy to stay and my family is certainly very settled. I love the city, the people are fantastic around here. It would be a shame to go.
"But you have to feel wanted. I know the manager says positive things about me, which is encouraging. I guess we will see how the season goes. If they offer me something else, great. The club know how I feel about staying here.
"The club has their ambitions and plans and I hope I fit into them. I have a lot to think about but we will see what is said during pre-season and the season when it starts. There is plenty of time."
And Tyson says he has returned to pre-season training without any significant problems.
"I feel fit, I feel fine. People don't realise that I have had to work very hard to get fit," he said. "Most of all, I am just looking forward to the start of the new season. Everything is going well."