LOYAL Cherries servant Shaun Cooper insists he will be keeping his options open as he ponders the club’s offer of a new contract.

Cooper, who has spent the past seven seasons at Dean Court, was one of only three players included on new manager Paul Groves’s retained list.

The 28-year-old utility man is thinking over the terms of a new 12-month deal and would be entitled to a free transfer should he choose not to sign.

Cooper’s existing contract – which officially expires at the end of June – had included an option for an automatic one-year extension.

However, as neither party triggered the clause by the March 31 cut-off, Cherries were obliged to either release Cooper or offer him fresh terms.

Cooper, who has made 231 appearances for the club since arriving from Portsmouth, has until the end of the month to accept or decline the new contract.

He told the Daily Echo: “I would love to stay and am hoping something can be worked out. Every player wants to feel wanted by a club and I am no different.

“I have had a good look at the offer and just need to weigh up every option. I am at an age now where every contract is vitally important and I need to consider everything.

“I had an option for another 12 months but neither myself nor the club triggered it by March 31. The new offer is for less than the option so that is something I need to think about.

“I have had a chat with the new manager and he said he wanted me to stay and wanted me involved. That was good to here as it can be an unsettling time when a new manager takes over.

“There is no doubt the club is going places. The owners have certainly shown their intent by investing heavily in the squad. I just hope something can be sorted and I can be a part of the future.”

Cooper, who was linked with a move to Crewe during Kevin Bond’s time as Cherries boss, has played under six managers during his stay at Dean Court since being signed by Sean O’Driscoll.

He enjoyed arguably his best season under Eddie Howe and Lee Bradbury in 2010-11 and was a mainstay as Cherries reached the League One play-offs just 12 months ago.

But despite captaining the team against Scunthorpe and Preston under Groves’s caretaker stewardship, Cooper endured an indifferent campaign after suffering two unrelated calf injuries.

“It has been an eventful seven years, to say the least!” said Cooper. “There have been ups and downs and there never seems to be a dull moment at this club!

“The club is on as firm a footing as it has been since I have been here and the squad is certainly capable of achieving success so I would hope to be a part of that.”