CHRIS Knights has put off contract negotiations until the end of the season, but says he's happy in Adelaide and wants to be part of the Crows' leadership group next year.
Knights is one of several Crows players, including All-Australian defender Nathan Bock and tough onballer Scott Thompson, yet to commit to the club beyond 2010.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakout year in 2009, kicking 43 goals in a damaging half-forward role, but a string of foot and abdominal injuries have limited him to just three games this season.
Adelaide recently secured the signatures of promising quartet Patrick Dangerfield, David Mackay, Rory Sloane and Jared Petrenko to go with their major coup of re-signing key forward Kurt Tippett last year.
Knights, who was drafted to Adelaide from TAC Cup club Eastern Ranges in 2004, said he wasn't concentrating on his contract because of the season he has had.
"There's always speculation about people from interstate [wanting to go home] and now there's even speculation about people from Adelaide going," he told afl.com.au.
"I'm really enjoying Adelaide and I enjoy the Crows.
"At the moment all I'm focused on is playing good football for the Crows and showing the club and our supporters what I'm capable of. We'll work together to sort that [contract] out at the right time."
Knights has played 73 games in six seasons with the Crows and will be one of the more experienced players at the club when veterans Simon Goodwin, Brett Burton and possibly Andrew McLeod retire at the end of the year.
Goodwin, Burton and retired stalwart Tyson Edwards have all been part of the club's leadership program for a number of years, meaning there will be a few vacancies next year.
Knights made leadership a focus during his extended stay on the sidelines and said he would be keen to step into a more official role in 2011.
"Being injured gave me a chance to work on other areas of my game, like my leadership skills. I'd definitely like to [be in the leadership group] but it's a team vote and only six or seven - or however many guys we decide - will get in," he said.
"The good thing about our system is that you don't have to be in the leadership group to provide leadership and regardless of whether I'm in that group or not next year, it's not going to stop me being a leader."
Knights had to watch on for the most part as Adelaide lost nine of its first 12 games of the season.
Having spent time in rehabilitation with half of his teammates, including long-term casualties Andy Otten, Brad Moran and Brodie Martin, Knights said a better run with injuries would help Adelaide return to the finals next season.
"There's no way that 11th spot on the ladder [is a true reflection] of the team's ability," Knights said.
"We've showed this season that we can play some really good football and there was a period of four weeks not too long ago where we matched it with and even knocked off a top-four team.
"That's how we expect to play and what we'll look to take into next season, regardless of injury. Injuries make it harder, but we don't like to use excuses."
