JAMES Brophy is hungry to stay on at Swindon Town next season after a breakthrough year as a professional.

The 21-year-old was plucked from non-league last summer, signing a one-year contract at the County Ground and has proven to be more than a useful addition to the camp.

Having started the campaign as a squad player, Brophy’s development has been as rapid as it has impressive and he finished 2015-16 as a key man on the left-hand side of defence.

Although Brophy’s initial deal is due to run out this summer, it would be a big surprise if Luke Williams did not want to retain him for next season.

Following the final game of the season against Shrewsbury Town on Sunday, Brophy revealed nothing was yet in place for 2016-17 but he is hoping to be back at the County Ground.

“I think they’ve got to wait and see and I’m sure at the end of the season, the staff will sit down and see what players they’re bringing in next season and what players are leaving,” Brophy told BBC Wiltshire.

“Obviously, I’d love to be here next season. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first season so hopefully, I’ll be back.

“My game’s improved massively and a lot of it goes down to the coaching staff; Luke, Ross (Embleton), Mikey (Michael Cooper, sports scientist), the physio (Paul Godfrey), have been a great help to me and they try to improve every player, every day.”

With such limited experience, Brophy admits it was a little bit like being thrown into the lion’s den in his early Town days but he went on to make 31 appearances for Town during the season, including starts in the final six matches.

“I think it’s gone quickly. At the start of the season, I was kind of thrown straight in and I had a lot more game time than I expected,” added Brophy.

“In the middle of the season, when they saw my body was taking a toll, they gave me a rest and then towards the end, I’ve been brought back in. It’s probably been about right.

“When I first came here, it was just to try and get myself ready to play at this standard of football.

“You’ve got to do a lot. It’s a big step to come from where I came from to this level, so the first season was really about me getting myself prepared and maybe getting one or two opportunities from the bench, so it’s definitely surpassed my expectations.”