Stephen Gleeson admits it would have been easy to let his contract wind down and depart Wolves in the summer.

 

But the Irish midfielder still believes he has the opportunity of forging a career at Molineux, and is hoping that he will get the chance to prove it.

 

Stephen's three-year contract was due to run out this summer but he is now tied to Molineux until June, 2010 after putting pen to paper on a new deal.

 

He is now likely to be made available for loan with a view to getting more football under his belt before returning to Wolves next pre-season.

 

"It's good to get the contract out of the way to be fair," says Stephen,

 

"We've been discussing it for a long time now and it's good to get it signed.

 

"I've got the Republic of Ireland under-21 game coming up (with Germany) and hopefully after that there might be a chance of going out on loan.

 

"That could be until the end of the season which would give me a chance to get a few games in and then come back for pre-season and see how it goes from there."

 

The 20-year-old has already enjoyed three loan spells at Stockport, most recently for the first five months of this season, in which he helped consolidate the club's position in League One after helping them to play-off success last season.

 

He also had a short spell at Hereford last season.

 

"I really enjoyed going back to Stockport and we did really well for the first six months of the season," he added.

"We got into the play-off places just before I left which was probably a lot better than people thought we might do so it was another good spell for me."

 

Long-term though he would still love to make a breakthrough at Wolves.

 

The senior Republic of Ireland international has made five appearances in Wolves colours in total, the most recent - and his only start - being the Carling Cup defeat to Morecambe in August, 2007.

 

"We'll just have to see what happens come pre-season," he explained.

 

"It's probably getting to the last chance stage for me at Wolves but I hope it works out here.

 

"I'm just going to come back and try and impress and hopefully be involved.

 

"I really think I can play at this club but it's all about getting a chance and taking it.

 

"It hasn't happened just yet but I'm still enjoying it here.

 

"I think I've proved myself in League Two and League One so it's now a case of taking that next step.

 

"The team have done brilliantly this season and are top of the league so it's difficult for the rest to get in but I just have to keep doing what I'm doing on the training pitch.

 

"I'd really like to think I will play here and that's why I've signed the contract.

 

"It was up in the summer so I could easily have let it run out and leave but I believe I can play here and if I give it a go hopefully next year will be my year.

 

"This is my club, the only club I've been at since I've been over here, and it will be my sixth year here next year.

 

"I'm settled and used to everything here and don't think I'm finished here at all.

 

"I might be a bit of a forgotten player but I've been out and about playing in the lower leagues.

 

"I'm still match sharp and if the gaffer wanted me I'd be ready.

 

"Since I've been back I've been training and been in squads as well and I'm just trying to get on with it on the training pitch."