MARC Pugh is vowing to put contract talks to the back of his mind and focus his attentions on helping Cherries maintain their promotion push.

The talented winger, who is mulling the club’s offer of a new three-and-a half-year deal, has been one of Cherries’ stand-out performers this season.

Pugh turned in a series of impressive displays as Cherries experienced fluctuating fortunes during the early part of the campaign and has been a key figure in their recent revival.

The 24-year-old, who tops the club’s goal charts with nine, joined Cherries in a £100,000 move from Hereford in June 2010 and has proved an absolute steal.

Pugh told the Daily Echo: “The club and my agent are still talking over a contract that would see me stay here for three-and-a half years.

“I am very happy here and really enjoying my football. The club is definitely going in the right direction and I have only good things to say about the staff and supporters.

“However, I still have 18 months left to run on my current contract so there is no major rush. The manager and chairman are being very good to me so we will just see what happens.

“I have been pleased with my form this season. I have felt really sharp in recent games, even if I would like to have added to my goal tally. I should have done better with a couple of chances against Wycombe but can’t complain too much because I am enjoying my football.”

Pugh was again pivotal as Cherries extended to 11 their unbeaten away record in League One with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Walsall five days ago.

The Lancastrian won a second-half penalty, converted by Michael Symes, to spark Cherries’ second-half comeback at Bescot, capped by Steve Fletcher’s injury-time equaliser.

Pugh said: “The performance showed we have got character. It doesn’t matter whether you are 2-0 or 3-0 down, you have got to keep fighting until the end and the lads did that.

“We got a rollicking from the manager at half-time and he told us our first-half performance had been nowhere near good enough. We knew he was 100 per cent correct.

“We went out with no fear in the second half and put them under a lot of pressure. We had been excellent in our two previous away games and the first half at Walsall was a kick up the backside.

“Maybe it was also a little reality check because you can’t play teams near the bottom of the table and just expect to turn them over.

“We are in the chasing pack and things are looking positive ahead of two home games. The squad is equipped to continue a promotion push and we are in good heart.”