The sting of missing out on the play-offs with Oxford United could spur Dave Kitson to put off retirement, providing he is able to make a contribution.

Last month, the 34-year-old revealed he was considering hanging up his boots this summer.

But the former Premier League striker has another year left on his contract with the U’s and may yet play on after the side collapsed to finish eighth in Sky Bet League Two.

Speaking after Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Northampton Town, he said: “I think when the season finishes like that it leaves a really bad taste in the mouth.

“It’s really disappointing and indicative of where our results have been.

“It’s not good enough and as a professional and someone who wants to win, it just makes you want to come back and try harder.”

Like all United’s players, Kitson will sit down with head coach Gary Waddock this week to discuss his future.

Despite missing games through suspension and injury this season, he still made 36 appearances, scoring four goals.

The experienced forward will take time to weigh up the decision, but would only want to continue if both he and the club believed it was worthwhile.

“I’m leaning towards coming back, but on the other hand, there’s going to be some changes,” he said. “I don’t know whether I’ll be a part of that or not.”

He added: “I don’t want to be the old player on the pitch who is costing us.

“If there’s a role as a player to contribute somewhere, then that would be great.

“But more and more it’s becoming apparent I can help off the pitch as well.”

Kitson is unsure exactly what sort of off-pitch role that would be, but there is a desire to help provide guidance to United’s young players.

He added: “I just get excited by some of the talent that’s coming through.

“It’s always been like that for me, there’s nothing like seeing a really good young player coming through where you think ‘I’d like to help him try and improve’.

“I just want everyone to be as good as they can possibly be.

“When I see a player like Callum O’Dowda taking the ball down and he just skips past people – that’s really exciting.

“It’s not just Callum, we’ve got some good youngsters and it would be nice to try and help them.”