KEITH Ryan won the Laurent Perrier/Bucks Free Press Player of the Year award and then revealed he didn't expect to play more than ten games this season because John Gregory didn't rate him.

Rhino, who spent the two previous seasons sidelined with injuries, hit an all-time low when Gregory left him out at the start of the season.

He said: "I remember sitting in the bar with Alan Parry five or six games into the season saying this is going to be a long year. I didn't think I'd play more than ten games.

"I hit a low. I'd worked hard to get fit but couldn't win a place. I didn't think John Gregory fancied me."

But Gregory did - although he saw the 27-year-old as a defender not a midfielder. Ryan was reluctant to switch but now recognises it was a shrewd move. He has been a rock in defence sparking transfer speculation and becoming captain when Neil Smillie became boss.

Victory in the BFP readers and fans poll completed a clean sweep of player of the year awards. He also won the Official Supporters Club and the Independents' awards.

Ryan said: "Along with playing at Wembley this is the highlight of my career. To get the recognition from the fans is what every player wants. I've had a lot of bad luck with injuries and sometimes I questionned whether I would ever play again.

"It's been a brilliant year - winning this, becoming a dad and being made captain - but I think bloody hell perhaps I do deserve it because I've had a rough ride the last two or three years."

Whether Ryan will be there to win it next year is debateable as former managers, Gregory and Martin O'Neill, have expressed interest in signing him for Aston Villa and Leicester.

Ryan said: "I've been loyal enough to sign for three more years and if anything happens in the summer I don't think anyone would begrudge me bettering myself.

"Two seasons ago there was talk of me going to Leicester and I spoke to Martin but it wouldn't have been right for me then. People have worried about my injuries but I've played 40 games and not missed training this season which shows my knees are fine."

Keeper Martin Taylor took second place in the Laurent Perrier/BFP awards after keeping 17 clean sheets. Steve Brown was third.

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