WEYMOUTH’S Callum Buckley says he is ‘desperate to impress again’ after he extended his stay at the Terras last week.

The defender had a difficult end to the season, missing games due to a knee injury but he says he is looking forward to getting back to pre-season.

Buckley, discussing extending his stay at the Bob Lucas Stadium, told Echosport: “I am really happy about it.

“The aim when I joined was to get promoted and I sat down with Moles (Mark Molesley, Weymouth boss) and Paul (Maitland, director of football) about it and we did really well this last year.

“Obviously I did not play as much but I am really desperate to impress again and I am happy that I got given the opportunity to sign on for another year.”

Discussing his injury, Buckley admits the last year has been tough on him, but admits ‘you cannot ask for a better season’ than their league title victory.

Buckley said: “Last year was a real tough year for me.

“The season itself was really good and the lads went on to win the league so you cannot ask for a better season than that, but from a personal perspective I wanted a bit more minutes on the pitch. My knee was just playing up and it was really frustrating but, touch wood, I have been working hard over the off season so I can come back and be ready to go for the season.

When asked if pre-season is a bigger target in light of the injuries, Buckley agreed, and says it is all about getting as fit as possible.

Buckley replied: “Yeah, exactly because obviously I missed quite a bit of football at the end of last year.

“It is just about getting back now and making sure that I can get as fit as possible.

“I am looking forward to getting back and getting on the football again.”