ON-LOAN WINGER Jake Thomson is hoping that Torquay United and Southampton can work out a deal so that he can stay at Plainmoor until the end of the season.
The talented 20-year-old said: "I'm working on the assumption that my last game will be against Barnet, but I'm hoping it won't be.
"I would be happy to stay.
"I'm enjoying playing here a lot.
"It's been difficult for everyone, with the pitches not being right recently and uncertainty about games being on or not.
"But the boss has encouraged me to play my natural game, taking people on, and that's what I've been looking for.
"The team has been playing well, and I feel that I haven't played much better in my career so far.
"If I was still at Southampton, I'd probably be on the bench and playing in the reserves.
"So if I'm going to play in the first team here, I would prefer to stay.
"It's just down to what happens with Southampton."
United manager Paul Buckle and Saints boss Alan Pardew are believed to have agreed in principle for Thomson to extend his loan.
But at this stage of the season that has to be for at least another three months.
Before United go to Barnet next week, they take on former Blue Square Premier rivals, and last season's champions, Burton Albion at Plainmoor this Saturday.
Having snapped up 19-year-old midfielders Eunan O'Kane from Coleraine and Sam Cox on loan from Spurs over the past week, Buckle is trying hard to make further signings.
He's currently away on another scouting trip.
Meanwhile, last night's Westinsure Devon St. Luke's Cup tie at Plymouth Parkway was postponed because the Bolitho Park pitch was waterlogged.
No new date for the game has been arranged yet.