Luke Woolfenden wants to use his loan at League Two Swindon to help secure a place in the Ipswich Town side for the start of next season.
The teenager, who will spend the season at the County Ground under manager Phil Brown, scored his first goal for the Robins on Saturday as the Wiltshire side lost 2-1 at home to Bury.
Woolfenden is enjoying his start to life on loan, with three starts under his belt, but is already looking ahead to his return to Ipswich.
“My aim here is to play as well as I can and, at the start of next season I want to be starting for Ipswich and playing Championship football. After that I want to play in the Premier League like everyone does,” he said.
MORE: On this day in Town history: A UEFA Cup night, a Milton hat-trick and an unbeaten run continued
“I think I’ve got the ability to do that so coming down here with the gaffer is something that’s going to help me a lot.
“I’ve been impressed, settled in well and am enjoying working with the gaffer so it’s a good place to be.
“I think we have a good season ahead of us.”
Woolfenden has split his time between right back and centre back during his three games with Swindon, striking up a partnership with Millwall loanee Sid Nelson when used in the middle of the Robins’ defence.
Centre back is where he wants to be, though.
MORE: ‘Hopefully it’s like buses for me now in terms of goals’ - Jackson on his first Championship strike
“I’ll play anywhere, wherever he puts me, although obviously I want to play at centre back,” he said.
“That’s what I came here to do but if I need to fill in at left back or right back that’s no problem for me at all.
“I think Sid and I complement each other well because, like the gaffer’s said, he’s the more aggressive type of defender and I’m more comfortable on the ball.
“I enjoy playing with Sid so hopefully that carries on.”
Woolfenden is one of four young Ipswich players to have been loaned out during the final week of the transfer window.
MORE: Walters could miss Bolton clash, Bishop injury not serious
Tristan Nydam has played just 11 minutes of football for Scottish top flight side St Johnstone so far during his half-season loan, and was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Aberdeen.
Josh Emmanuel has made two starts for Shrewsbury in League One, while Ben Morris’s only action for Forest Green has come in the Checkatrade Trophy.
Irish striker Aaron Drinan is on loan at National League side Sutton United, making four starts and seven substitute appearances without finding the net.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here