YORK City boss Colin Walker will let Chris Beardsley decide whether he wants to return to KitKat Crescent or extend his loan stay at Kettering.

Beardsley has scored five goals in four matches since signing for the Poppies at the turn of the year and is believed to have expressed an interest in continuing to help the club's Blue Square North title push.

The 23-year-old's one-month loan spell ends after City's home match with Aldershot tomorrow, but he is unlikely to gain a place in his parent club's first-team starting line-up in the near future.

A permanent move, however, is not expected before Thursday's transfer deadline with City more interested in agreeing an extension to the loan with the option of a 24-hour recall.

City chief Walker said: "It's Chris' decision whether he stays or comes back. If Chris wants to come back and fight for his place, I would welcome him with open arms. If he wants to carry on at Kettering, though, I will accept that decision as well. I would understand if he wants to play first-team football rather than coming back and having to do two or three weeks in our reserves."

Walker also admitted he has taken Hull midfielder Ben Wilkinson on trial with one eye on next season.

Wilkinson, the son of former Leeds manager and FA technical director Howard, scored twice for the reserves on Wednesday and Walker said: "He has a horrible habit of being in the right place at the right time to score goals from midfield."

The club are unlikely to pursue their interest in Ipswich's Michael Synnott at this stage.