PLYMOUTH Argyle have turned their attentions to striker Rory Fallon after Dutch defender Marcel Seip agreed a two-year contract extension with the Championship club.

Manager Paul Sturrock has revealed the Pilgrims have entered into talks about a new deal for Fallon.

It comes after Argyle secured the long-term future of Seip, whose contract will now run until June 2011, as reported on The Herald's website thisisplymouth.co.uk yesterday lunchtime.

Fallon was signed by former Pilgrims' boss Ian Holloway from Swansea City for £300,000 in January 2007.

Holloway could not get the best out of Fallon and the striker seemed set to leave Home Park after Sturrock returned for a second spell as Argyle manager.

However, Fallon chose to stay and fight for a first team spot in preference to a move to Southend United, and his form over recent months has been much improved.

Fallon has played in all 17 of Argyle's Championship matches this season, starting 13 of them, and is the second top scorer with four goals.

Sturrock said: "We are in negotiations with Rory and his agent.

"Rory has been an influence to the team and I would like to think we could sort something out with him very quickly."

Fallon's current contract with the Pilgrims ends next June, when he would become eligible for a Bosman transfer.

But Sturrock is clearly optimistic Fallon will follow the example of Seip and commit his future to Argyle.

Seip, 28 (pictured above), has been one of Argyle's most consistent players this season, enhancing his reputation as one of the best defenders in the Championship.

Not surprisingly, Sturrock is thrilled the former Heerenveen centre-back is staying put.

"His standard of performance this season has been excellent and you don't want to lose that type of player," said Sturrock.

"Marcel wanted to stay here, and obviously there was the haggling with the agent – there always is – but now we have come to terms and we are very pleased everything has worked out."

Seip could have been a free agent next summer and moved elsewhere on a Bosman transfer, as Tony Capaldi and Paul Connolly have done in recent times.

But now he is set for at least another two-and-a-half years with Argyle.

It completes a turnaround in fortunes for Seip, who was transfer-listed by Sturrock in April after he refused to be a substitute for a 2-1 home defeat by Charlton Athletic.

It was not until pre-season training in July that Seip and Sturrock cleared the air.

"The scenario at the end of last season didn't help things, but he has worked very hard on his game and his partnership with the boy (Craig) Cathcart has been excellent," said Sturrock.

"If you were to look back at the last six or eight games, he would be in your top three performers."

Should Fallon agree an extended contract with Argyle, there would be only four other players with first team experience whose deals end next summer.

The quartet are strikers Ashley Barnes and Emile Mpenza, midfielder Luke Summerfield and winger Dan Smith.

Argyle reserves play Bristol City in a Totesport.com Combination clash at Ashton Gate tonight (7pm).

The starting line-up will include six players with first team experience this season.

They are goalkeeper Graham Stack, defenders David McNamee and Jim Paterson and midfield trio Yoann Folly, Nicolas Marin and Simon Walton.

Argyle reserves: Graham Stack; David McNamee, Shane White, Gary Sawyer, Jim Paterson; Nicolas Marin, Yoann Folly, Simon Walton, Yala Bolasie; Dan Smith or Joe Mason, Ashley Barnes.

Argyle's on-loan Manchester United defender Craig Cathcart is in the Northern Ireland under-21 squad for their friendly away to Scotland tonight.

The game will be played at New Douglas Park, Hamilton (7.45pm).