ATTACKER Alex Rodman has admitted he will be “a happy man” if his loan spell with York City is extended beyond tomorrow’s home match with Exeter.

Rodman is due back in Hampshire next week unless the Minstermen and parent club Aldershot can come to an agreement regarding who will be his employers for the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old winger has made seven appearances for City since his November switch, scoring once.

He also claimed assists for the first and third goals in Tuesday’s 3-0 home win over Burton and, after a blood clot curtailed his career at Aldershot, has relished the chance to get back on to the pitch under Gary Mills – his former boss at Tamworth.

Mills has indicated he would like to keep the former England ‘C’ international and, on his hopes for the future, Rodman said: “I’ve got one game left and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here, working under a great management team in the gaffer, Darron Gee and Des Lyttle. I was desperate to get out of Aldershot and really grateful to come here.

“Hopefully, I’ve repaid a bit of the faith they showed in bringing me to the club. There’s a bit to be discussed yet, but I will sit down with the gaffer and speak to Aldershot to see what’s happening there.

“We play some fantastic football here and, if I was to stay permanently, I would be a happy man.”

Mills reckoned Rodman’s performance against Burton was his best for City, with his surge into the 18-yard area on 13 minutes leading to the spot-kick that set the ball rolling.

On that incident, Rodman added: “I was really pleased to contribute for the penalty that Jason put away really well.

“I think their player got some of the ball but he got me as well and, when you’ve gone past somebody and you’re tackled from behind in the box, there’s only one thing the referee is going to do in that situation.”

The Sutton Coldfield-born forward also feels he has benefited from starting all three of City’s fixtures over the festive period, saying: “I was really struggling to get back to full fitness after last season but, having played a few games in a short period of time, I’m getting close now. There’s still more sharpness to come though and the gaffer knows that.”

Rodman is now hoping the quality of City’s New Year’s Day display will help breed confidence at Bootham Crescent.

He said: “It’s been no secret that our home form has not been as a good as we would have liked it to have been, but we played really well from the start against Burton and a 3-0 win was a great way to start off the New Year with another home game coming up tomorrow.

“Burton’s front two of Calvin Zola and Billy Kee have scored a lot of goals between them and they are attracting a bit of interest.

“They are a good team who are direct, above us in the table and, before playing us, had just beaten the form team in Southend, so it was a great result and a massive three points for us because the league is so tight.

“A couple of wins seem to move you within a couple of points of the play-offs but a couple of draws or defeats and you are heading towards the lower reaches.

“Hopefully, Tuesday’s win will give us the confidence to climb the table when it really matters and cement our position in the top seven, where we all think we belong. I think we can definitely get into the play-offs.

“The football we can play on our day is fantastic and there is definitely enough in the dressing room, maybe with a couple of additions here or there.

“We have a good squad with a hell of a lot of ability and a fantastic team spirit, which always goes a long way.”