Stevenage defender Jon Ashton believes he still has a big part to play in Boro’s current and future campaigns as they battle for one of two remaining League Two play-off places.

The Lamex Stadium side can secure their spot in the end-of-season lottery that are the play-offs with a home win over Carlisle United on Saturday, whatever rivals Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town achieve in their respective weekend games.

That would leave Stevenage just three games from an immediate return to the third tier of English football, less than 12 months after suffering relegation.

Whatever Boro’s fate, Ashton, who signed for then Conference Stevenage from Grays Athletic in 2009, is hopeful of sticking around for the foreseeable future.

Ashton said: “100 per cent. I want to stay around for as long as possible and play a part in all the success we have in future years, this season, next season, whenever. I have been here now for several years and fingers crossed I can stay here.”

The 32-year-old has made 19 appearances this campaign in what has been an interchangable back four for Graham Westley.

Despite not featuring heavily, Ashton believes that is has been the squad camaraderie that has propelled Stevenage to within one game of making the play-offs.

He continued: “We have used the whole squad this year, not just the same XI week in week out. I don’t know how many people have started this season but it has definitely been a squad effort.

“If someone has got injured, then someone else has come in for him and the level has not dropped.

“Everyone has competed for a shirt this year but the squad has been happy to scrap for places and that has helped us get to where we are now. We have just got on with our jobs and tried to improve our league position throughout the season.”