VETERAN midfielder Kevin McDonald is staying at Exeter City for the remainder of the season after signing a new deal with the club.

The 36-year-old playmaker returned to Devon earlier this season, initially to train, but after getting himself fit, manager Gary Caldwell was quick to offer him a short-term deal.

That expired today, but the club announced yesterday that the former Scotland international, who is closing in on 600 career appearances for ten different clubs both north and south of the border, is staying for a little longer yet.

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“Kev is a fantastic influence on the squad and brings a lot of experience to the team,” Caldwell said of his fellow Scot. “We brought him in to mentor our younger midfielders, and Jake Richards in particular and Jake has had his best spell at the club since Kev has been with us. When called upon to play we have won both matches that Kev has started, so he’s still got a lot to offer as a player.”

McDonald has made seven appearances this season, with the Grecians also winning two of the games in which he came on as a substitute. His knowledge, know-how and experience make him a valuable addition to the squad, even if his age counts against him.

McDonald is one of three players that are on short-term deals at St James Park and the club have confirmed they are still in talks with the in-form Caleb Watts over extending his stay as well.

Despite injuries disrupting his time at St James Park, meaning he has only ever penned short-term contracts since first arriving in Devon last September, the 23-year-old has featured 18 times this season and started four of the last five matches. A consistent run in the side has also allowed Watts to show what he can do and he has been one of City’s brightest players in the past month or so, while he played a part in all three goals when City beat Oxford United 3-1 in the FA Cup third round last week.

However, it seems unlikely that Mustapha Carayol will be staying with the club. The 36-year-old arrived in September at a time the Grecians had lost Yanic Wildschut to a season-ending injury, while Demetri Mitchell and Pat Jones were also sidelined.

With Jones and Mitchell now back fit and firing, it is hard to see where Carayol fits in and he is expected to leave the club – the 16th of the Gambian’s career – when his short-term contract expires next week.