SCOTT Malone admits joining Cherries on a permanent basis would be high on his wish-list – should he fail to realise his Premier League dream.

Malone has shaken off an indifferent start to his loan spell at the Seward Stadium and been a reve lation for Cherries in an unfamiliar left-midfield role.

The 20-year-old, who arrived from Wolves in pre-season and made his first 12 appearances at left-back, has caught the eye since making the switch five games ago.

And Malone’s stunning goal against Gillingham in the first round of the FA Cup – his third in four games – prompted a chorus of “sign him up” from Cherries supporters.

Malone, whose loan agreement is due to expire on January 7, says he would be keen to extend his stay as he waits to discover whether he has a future at Molineux Capped six times by England under-19s, Malone, who has also served on loan Burton Albion, Southend and Hungarian club Ujpest, is out of contract at the end of the season.

He told the Daily Echo: “With my loan coming to an end in January, hopefully, I have hit form at the right time. It would have been nice to have done it earlier but I hadn’t been fully fit until recently.

“I am feeling good and relishing the left midfield role. I know it is down to luck that I am playing there but I feel I am doing a good job for the team and three goals in four games isn’t a bad return.

“I am hoping to get another six months here but you never know in football because things change from week to week. I’ve got another seven weeks left and need to keep playing well to get it extended.

“I also need to keep playing well at this level before I can even think about going back to Wolves and knocking on the door.

“I have been on loan four times in the past couple of years. I know I can still improve but it is getting closer to the time when I need to know if I am in their plans. Hopefully, if I can maintain the form I am showing now, I can go back there and be a part of it.”

Malone, asked about the chant from Cherries supporters, replied: “It was nice to hear. I think it came when we were winning and the goal at the end took the gloss off it.

“I would love to stay because I am enjoying my time here. I don’t really know what is going on upstairs but there seems to be some investment coming in. The club is on the up so it would definitely be an opportunity for me.”

Cherries boss Lee Bradbury said: “I spoke to (Wolves manager) Mick McCarthy about Scott a couple of weeks ago and we will speak again in December to see where we are going. Mick has got to look at his squad before he can commit to anything.”