Source: Team_Talk
Novo wants central Gers role
The Spanish striker helped deliver a domestic double in the shape of the Scottish Premier League title and Homecoming Scottish Cup last term but is keen to play a more central role this time around.
An ankle injury at the end of January saw him sidelined for six weeks before making a return as a substitute in the Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat against Celtic.
He then made just one start for the remainder of the season in what was a disappointing run-in personally.
"I had started to come back again and then I got my injury and found it quite hard to get back in the team," Novo said.
"This year I start free of injuries and I will work hard to get a place in the team.
"At the moment I still have one more year left so I'm not thinking about anything. I just want to play and see how the situation goes.
"I'll always love this club, it's in my heart. The fans and the club have treated me very well.
"But it's football and you never know where you are going to be.
"I just want to do well and concentrate on doing my best for the club and see what happens."
Chairman Sir David Murray this week revealed he would not welcome bids for key players this summer, in reponse to reports linking Madjid Bougherra with Bordeaux and Steven Davis with Sunderland.
But Novo insists the squad are focused only on their defence of the SPL title and not speculation surrounding their top stars.
"The players here are under contract so the players aren't thinking about it," he said.
"Last year was hard because of the situation the club was in but I think the players are concentrating on the football.
"That's what they are here for, they are not thinking about the other business."
One player who does look set for the exit door is deposed skipper Barry Ferguson, who has been holding talks with Birmingham after both clubs agreed a fee, reported to be in the region of £1million.
A move to the Premier League would allow the 31-year-old to resurrect his career following the role he played in the infamous Loch Lomond drinking session and subsequent V-signs while on international duty with Scotland.
And, although unlikely to leave Ibrox in a blaze of glory, Novo insists Ferguson's commitment to the cause over the years should not be forgotten.
"He is a legend, isn't he?" he said, as he promoted next month's glamourous friendly with Manchester City.
"He is one of the best players I've ever played with. He has a great personality, he's a worker and he helps everybody.
"He is a person I get on very well with and we will miss him."
