I'm playing for new deal and Notts success - McGoldrick

David McGoldrick has scored 26 league goals for Notts County since rejoining the club last season

David McGoldrick says he will approach Notts County's final matches of the season as if his Magpies future depends on them.

The former Republic of Ireland striker wants to play beyond his 38th birthday in November with his boyhood club, but is now in the final four months of his contract.

McGoldrick says talks about a new deal have not started, but is "not worried about it" and actually sees it as motivator.

"That gives you the drive as well, because maybe when you have years on your contract you can get comfy. I've been there," McGoldrick told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"There are 10 games left and I know what I'm playing for. I'm playing for the club to get high up the league and playing for myself to try to get another contract."

McGoldrick has been instrumental in Notts' quest for promotion this season, scoring 14 goals in 26 League Two appearances.

His tally includes the League Two goal of the month winner for February - which was a delightful lobbed finish against Gillingham - while his latest strike, to seal victory at Grimsby this week, had Magpies boss Stuart Maynard calling the veteran "Superman".

Those two goals came five weeks apart after he was sidelined by a hamstring injury.

And it was that spell out that helped the former Sheffield United, Ipswich Town, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Derby County forward realise how much he still enjoys playing.

"I want it to carry on. You are a long time retired and I'll try play for as long as I can and for as long as the body holds up," McGoldrick said.

"Don't get me wrong sometimes getting out of bed in the morning I have to do it in four stages, that ain't great. But the body is holding up well.

"Maybe if you asked me three or four months ago, I might have have said I'm not sure but obviously being out for five weeks kind of makes you realise how much you miss it.

"Watching from the stands, I don't want to become a fan down here every Saturday. I want to be involved and the club are treating me well, so let's see what happens."

The 'dream, dream' of promotion

It was 21 years ago that he first emerged as a teenager with Notts.

He soon moved to Southampton and, while a loan move back to Meadow Lane followed, it was not until the summer of 2023 that he returned on a permanent basis after spending much of the past two decades playing in England's top two divisions.

Notts' return to the English Football League helped bring him back to the club, but he also came with the aim of getting them up to League One.

And they remain well placed to make that happen, as they sit fourth in the table and only one point outside the automatic promotion spots.

"It's the dream, dream," McGoldrick said.

"The dream was to come back and play and the double dream is to get the club high up in the league. We will have 10 games left and lots can happen."