Conor Coventry has his sights set on earning game time with West Ham next season following a successful stint on loan with MK Dons.
The Irishman joined the League One club midway through the campaign in the January transfer window.
In his time at Stadium MK, the midfielder missed only 15-minutes of action as the side finished 3rd in the table.
Liam Manning’s side missed out on promotion following a play-off defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in the semi-finals.
Coventry initially started the season on loan with Peterborough United, but was unable to make any concrete impression in the side struggling against relegation in the Championship.
However, his displays in the third division were a huge improvement and the 22-year old now believes he can earn a place in David Moyes’ side for next season.
“Hopefully I will be in contact in pre-season but I know what I need to do,” said Coventry, via MK Citizen.
“I went on loan to play games, become a better player and a better person, I did that on both counts, it can only help me. I feel closer to the team than I was a year ago, so it can only help me.
“I loved my time [at MK Dons] and it was the first time I really had a chance to get a run of games.
“I feel I really developed from that.
“It was a bit unlucky and sometimes things don’t go your way in football. I feel like we played a great style of football, we were one of the better teams in the league.
“It was a missed opportunity but you have to take the experiences you have, we played some really good football.”
Coventry played 20 times in the league for MK Dons as he helped the side finish inside the top six.
The midfielder has previously been on loan with Lincoln City, but has yet to feature for the Hammers in the top flight.
Coventry will be hoping that changes in the coming months as he looks to fight for his place in Moyes’ side.
The Verdict
Coventry was impressive during his time with MK Dons and has shown he is ready to step up a level in English football.
The youngster will likely be given a chance to impress the West Ham coaching staff during pre-season.
But Coventry should be aiming for game time wherever he plays next season, so should be open to another loan move if Moyes has other plans in his team.
Another loan move would be disappointing, but he may yet still need to prove himself at Championship level before the West Ham boss gives him a proper chance in the team.