IAN Henderson scored a late winner against Rochdale for the second time this season before declaring ‘I’m staying’.

The versatile midfielder started the campaign in fine form but has been limited to the role of substitute in recent weeks.

He is due to be out-of-contract in the summer, but has revealed that an offer of a new deal is on the table which he is more than happy to sign.

“I’ve already told the manager (John Ward) I want to stay, we’ve just got to negotiate the contract,” said the 26-year-old.

“I’d say it will all be signed within a couple of weeks and I’ll be here for a couple of years.

“I’m really happy to stay. I came last January to get some more experience and I’ve been able to do that.”

Speaking of his match winner, U’s boss John Ward said: “He’s a wasp. He annoys me now and again but he annoys opponents more.

“I like the kid, I’ve made him an offer, he wants to be here so my guess is it will happen at some stage.

“When I was grumbling we’d only scored 15 away goals recently he was quick to tell me he’d got five of them!

“He’s like a little kid sometimes and that’s infectious. He’s got a childish enthusiasm which I don’t ever want him to lose.”

Henderson is the type of character whose zest for football – and life – you can’t help but feel infected by.

He celebrated his late winner at Rochdale last August by kung-fu kicking the corner flag out the ground. This time he raced halfway across the pitch to jump on top of his team mates on the subs bench.

“We had our team night out and this thing just came about where we put our tongues out and move our heads!” said Henderson.

“I’ve got a good friendship with Woody (Anthony Wordsworth), Corky (Sam Corcoran) and Medy (Elito) and I just wanted to make the people on the bench feel a part of it.”