Joey Barton wants to keep Pablo Martinez at Bristol Rovers for next season and beyond with the club looking to give the utility player a new contract and not just activate his 12-month option.
Martinez has made six appearances for the Gas this term and has become a first-team regular down the final stretch of the season, operating in defensive midfield.
The 20-year-old signed from West Brom last summer, as one of the more low-key arrivals in north Bristol, and technically becomes a free agent next month but Rovers do hold a 12-month extension option.
That will almost certainly be activated, but Barton also hopes Martinez can be granted a new deal to reward him for his hard work and application this season as the Gas prepare for life in League Two.
"It's something I've spoken to Pabs about and we have something that's in the club's favour," Barton said. "It's just whether we give him an uplift on what he's being paid because he's only on a couple of hundred quid a week and he deserves more.
"At the moment, I don't know if you get relegated that anyone gets a payrise but I think certainly Pablo is one to consider. But that's another point of discussion for the owner and the CEO as to what we do, take up the option or make it a little bit longer."
Bristol Live understands there are also desires to reward Zain Walker with a longer-term deal as the midfielder has 12 months remaining on his contract.
Barton has branded the emergence of that duo as a "light in the darkness" of what has been a tortuous campaign, with Rovers hosting Crewe Alexandra at the Mem on Saturday.
The Rovers boss believes Martinez will eventually migrate into becoming a specialist centre-back, and the progress of Walker will also be fascinating to monitor with the 19-year-old having played as a winger, attacking midfielder and wing-back.
"Young Zain Walker and Pablo have been such a light in the moment of darkness," Barton added.
"Pablo more than Zain because he's played more games but I'm really pleased with both of them. They've got a lot of work to do (now) to get themselves in a physical position to do themselves justice next year and not rest on their laurels and kick on."
