Stephen Darby has offered a hint that he wants to stay with City.

The ever-present right back, who has been a consistent performer since being released by Liverpool in 2012, is among a host of players out of contract in the summer.

The club are thought to be very keen on keeping him at Valley Parade – and Darby has indicated that he sees his future with them.

“I’m just concentrating on the football at the moment but I’m really enjoying my time here,” he said.

“The last 18 months have been brilliant and hopefully there will be more to come.”

With Gary Jones laid low by a virus, Darby was given the captain’s armband in Tuesday’s win at Colchester.

He only found out shortly before kick-off when assistant manager Steve Parkin told him to go to the referee’s room for the pre-match briefing.

Darby said: “I didn’t expect it but it was obviously a proud moment to lead the lads out. The last time I was captain was for Liverpool’s reserves.

“But it didn’t really change the way I approached the game there – it’s a cliché but you’ve got 11 captains in the team.

“It’s unfortunate that Gaz picked up a virus. Everyone knows the influence he has on the team.

“But that’s why we have a strong squad. When players are injured or sick, we have others who are more than capable of coming in and doing the job.

“Everyone is in it together and the competition for places is healthy. But I’m sure Gaz will want the armband back for the weekend!”

Darby felt City’s first away win in four months bore similarities with their 3-0 midweek victory at Wycombe last season.

He said: “It was like that. You look back to that game and we started really well and just like this time were 1-0 up in the first 15 minutes.

“We adapted well to the pitch, because it wasn’t the best.

“It was a massive game for us and the lads really dug in. It was a great performance and the three points were deserved.”

* City’s trip to Rotherham has been moved forward a day to Friday, April 11 so it can be shown live on Sky Sports.