KEITH Ryan has agreed a one-year extension to his playing contract.

The midfield stalwart, who is also assistant manager with Wycombe, will remain as the longest-serving player currently with Wanderers after he put pen to paper on the deal over the weekend.

The decision ends weeks of speculation that the 34-year-old was going to hang up his boots to concentrate on the assistant's role.

Ryan was known to be frustrated at missing out on the opportunities fellow assistant Steve Brown was getting at working alongside Blues boss John Gorman.

But the new deal will see Ryan take more of a managerial role, as well as playing in the midfield.

Gorman told the Wycombe Wanderers official website: "I'm delighted that we've agreed terms with Rhino. It's great news for everyone involved with the club and he thoroughly deserved to earn another playing contract.

"He's still a very influential player for us and that was proved in his performances for us last season.

"I'm looking forward to involving him more in a coaching role next season as well."

Ryan, who first arrived at the club in 1990, was the caretaker manager of Wanderers last season following the resignation of Tony Adams and departure of assistant Pete Cawley.

In his time in charge, Ryan steadied the Blues, who had been dropping down the League Two table, and returned them to winning ways before Ryan made way for Gorman to take over.

While Ryan has shown his abilities as a coach, his prowess as an experienced midfielder was the reason why Gorman preferred him to keep playing, working alongside younger players like Matt Bloomfield in Blues' engine room next season.