MANSFIELD Town defender Luke Graham is hoping to extend his loan stay at York City to a further month before considering his options in the January transfer window.

Blue Square Premier rivals Mansfield are ready to allow the former Forest Green and Kettering centre-back to make his move to Bootham Crescent permanent, but Northampton-shire-based Graham does not feel the time is right to make that commitment.

The 23-year-old, who returned to Field Mill yesterday after the completion of his one-month loan spell, has faced six hours of commuting every time he has attended a training session or played a home game for the Minstermen.

City, suffering a shortage of defenders due to injury, are keen to keep Graham having only conceded two goals in his five starts.

But, talking about his geographical predicament, he said: “I live in Rushden which obviously causes problems even though I’ve managed to work around it for the last month.

“It might seem like I’m making excuses, but it’s a 300-mile round trip every time I come up to York. I’m moving to Northampton with my girlfriend this week and, sometimes, these things take priority. It wouldn’t feel right to go anywhere permanently at this stage and that’s just being honest with everybody. The idea was to move half-an-hour closer to Mansfield, but I lost my place after being ill and I didn’t expect things to go so well at York.

“That’s certainly given me food for thought and I’d love to stay with York another month to keep the winning run going and be here for a showcase game at Stoke, that all the boys deserve, before seeing what the transfer window brings.”

Even if Graham does not return on loan, he is likely to spend Boxing Day at Bootham Crescent, where Mansfield, fourth in the table, will provide the opposition.

Having seen both clubs at close quarters this season, Graham feels the pair could be meeting again in play-off combat at the end of the campaign.

He said: “There’s not much to choose between the two clubs and both have big, strong strikers who can score goals. Mansfield are a bit more direct and physical all over the park and also have a big squad.

“York, though, maybe have a bit more quality in the middle of the park, although Mansfield have addressed that by bringing in Andy Burgess and Jon Challinor and I can see both clubs being in the play-offs. Time will tell who finishes higher.”

Graham currently boasts a 100 per cent winning record on the pitch for City and admits he has enjoyed the rearguard actions that have seen Martin Foyle’s men secure a succession of narrow victories.

He said: “I enjoy being put under pressure. When you have easy afternoons, it can bite you in the backside because you can be sauntering about and suddenly concede a goal due to a lapse in concentration.

“I would rather be in the thick of things from the start and TY (David McGurk) and the other boys relish it. If a team puts the ball in the box, we will head and clear it all day because that’s our game.”

Graham has forged a great understanding with McGurk in the centre of defence after an injury to Ben Purkiss gave him his opportunity, necessitating a switch to right-back for skipper Daniel Parslow.

Graham added: “TY has a lot of experience with no frills and, like the best defenders at this level, he does the simple things well. He’s a very good player and, hopefully, I have done a decent enough job alongside him.”

Graham also questioned those critics who have bemoaned the club’s failure to win any of their eight consecutive victories by more than a one-goal margin.

“All supporters pay money to be entertained, but what do you class as entertainment?” he asked.

“Is it all about keeping possession and sexy football, as Ruud Gullit used to call it, but ending up bottom of the table?

“I think entertainment is seeing your team win games every week.”