METAIRIE, La. – New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said he spoke this week with running back Mark Ingram, who can become an unrestricted free agent, and again expressed hope that the five-year veteran will be back next season.

The Saints declined to pick up the $5 million fifth-year option on Ingram last summer, likely because of his past injury problems. But Ingram responded with a big season — upping his value on the open market.

Speaking to New Orleans Pelicans sideline reporter Jennifer Hale during a Pelicans-Dallas Mavericks game on Monday night, Payton reiterated his comments at the scouting combine that Ingram was still in the team’s plans for the upcoming season.

“Hopefully, he’s someone that’s back in the Black and Gold because he’s been a big part of our success offensively,” Payton said of Ingram, who rushed for 964 yards and nine touchdowns last season and played in the Pro Bowl as a replacement for Marshawn Lynch.

Ingram, the second of two first-round draft picks for the Saints in 2011, is considered one of the top running backs available in free agency.