DANNY McDonnell has set his heart on ending his playing days at Worcester City after penning a new two-year deal.

McDonnell's contract extension keeps him at St George's Lane until the end of the 2007/08 season.

Once that deal finishes, the popular 32-year-old goalkeeper does not anticipate leaving Worcester in the twilight of his career.

But during the next few years, ambitious McDonnell is desperate to land promotion to the Conference with City.

Since joining from Halesowen Town in May 2000, the former Lye Town and Stourbridge stopper has tasted silverware just once, when City clinched the Southern League Cup in his first full season.

Now the longest serving player on City's books, with almost 250 first-team appearances to his name, McDonnell is hopeful of sampling that winning feeling once more.

"I'd like to think that by the end of the two years, when this new deal runs out, we will have made a really strong push for promotion," he admitted.

"The manager thinks we have a real good chance of going up. He's been here a year and the squad is getting stronger.

"I'll be 35 when this new contract runs out and I suppose I'd like to see out the rest of my days at Worcester.

"I've got no desire to go elsewhere. I want to see success at Worcester and win something."

Father-of-two McDonnell has long been regarded as one of non-league's leading goalkeepers.

Two summers ago, he earned two England National Game XI caps at the Four Nations international tournament in Scotland.

It was former City boss John Barton who earlier spotted his potential, signing McDonnell from the Yeltz on a Bosman free transfer. With the months ticking down on his previous contract, due to expire this summer, content McDonnell preferred to secure his future now.

He added: "I'm pleased to have my future sorted, as opposed to waiting to the end of the season. It was all done quickly.

"When I left Halesowen, that was the first year of the Bosman ruling when you could move for nothing. It was a difficult time with the contract coming to an end.

"There was uncertainty and people phoned me all the time. I didn't want to go through that again.

"At my age, I'm happy where I am. I'm delighted to be here. Worcester is still one of the top four clubs outside the Conference."

n Worcester City reserves travel to Alfreton Town tonight in the Central Conference Cup (7.45). Jai Stanley, Leon Kelly, Shabir Khan and Andy Preece are among the party.