West Ham United youngster Josh Cullen has hinted that he may still have a future with the Hammers when his loan with Charlton Athletic ends.
The midfielder joined the Addicks on loan for the season last August and has made 27 appearances for the South London side, who are currently fifth in League One.
Cullen came through the West Ham academy and made his debut for the club against Lusitanos in the Europa League qualifying rounds in July 2015 but has only made a further five appearances since then.
The 23-year-old has been loaned out by the Hammers to Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers in recent seasons as well as being sent out to Charlton this campaign.
There were suggestions that Cullen could be leaving the Olympic Stadium in the summer when his contract runs out but the midfielder has hinted that he may have a future with West Ham after all.
“I’ll go back. They want me back to go and do pre-season and try and make my time there successful,” Cullen told London News Online.
“Get in the first-team and warrant that place. That’s what I’m looking to do and hopefully that will happen.”
The Republic of Ireland U21 international has yet to feature for West Ham under Manuel Pellegrini but was included on the substitute bench for the Carabao Cup tie clash with AFC Wimbledon last August.
Despite being highly regarded by those inside the club, Cullen, who was included in the Ireland squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia in March, faces stiff competitions for a place in the Hammers midfield with the likes of Mark Noble, Jack Wiltshere, Declan Rice and Pedro Obiang all ahead of the youngster in the pecking order.
West Ham ended a run of four games without a win by inflicting Tottenham Hotspur to their first defeat since moving into the New White Hart Lane Stadium as Michail Antonio fired in the only goal of the game.
The Hammers host Southampton on Saturday before rounding off the season to face Watford at Vicarage Road.