DARRYL Duffy admits he is still perplexed as to why he was frozen out at Cheltenham Town after netting 15 goals in his first season with the club.
The 29-year-old is considering his options as his two-year contract at the Abbey Business Stadium draws to a close.
Duffy started only three League Two matches during the 2012/13 campaign, but boss Mark Yates is still undecided as to whether he will be offered a new deal or not.
The former Rangers, Hull City and Swansea City man feels he has unfinished business at Cheltenham, but admits he expects to be finding a new club this summer.
"If I get an offer elsewhere with more of a first-team chance then, of course, that will interest me more," Duffy said.
"I started six games in all competitions last year and never in a million years did I imagine that would be the case after scoring 15 in my first season at Cheltenham.
"It almost felt like a waste of a season and the manager may have felt I was lacking a spark, but I didn't have any chances to get that spark."
Duffy started back-to-back 3-0 victories over Yate Town and Exeter City in the autumn before being left out for the next game.
He scored in the 4-0 home over Wycombe Wanderers on Boxing Day and kept his place at Oxford on New Year's Day, but that was his final start until the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Northampton Town.
"It did seem like the manager was looking to take any opportunity to leave me out and it was very disappointing," Duffy said.
"When I asked why I was just told I wasn't doing anything wrong and to keep working hard and my chance would come.
"I consider myself a professional guy and I did work hard every day and my attitude was good. I put extra hours in with Ian Hutton (personal trainer) to make sure I was more than ready when called upon.
"I scored goals regularly in training against the starting XI, but the manager seemed to have it in his head that something was missing.
"If I'd played a dozen games in a row and not scored I couldn't have had any complaints, but I feel I was never given a shot."
Duffy accepted that when loan arrival from Bury Shaun Harrad starting the season in blistering form, he would have to bide his time for a chance.
But when the team were struggling for goals during the second half of the campaign, he does not understand why he was not given more time on the pitch.
"The team changed around a bit and there was no regular scorer in the team, so I felt like I had a case then," he said.
"It was the same for Shaun, who seemed to have a season similar to the one I had last year, being top scorer and not being able to get a game, which tells its own story."
Duffy is due to speak to Yates this week to discuss the possibility of extending his spell with Cheltenham, but the early indications are that he would be forced to take a pay cut.
"I need to speak to him to find out exactly what his plans are and then I can make an informed decision," Duffy said.
"But I want to try and get myself sorted so I can enjoy my holidays without worrying about where I am going to be next season.
"After last season I want to play and I am not going to sit on the bench at Cheltenham for less money than I was on last year.
"I am not one of the higher earners so I don't see the need to offer me a reduced wage, so it sounds like a hollow offer really and I am not sure how much he wants me."
