Crewe Alexandra's on-loan defender Alfie Pond said he would "love" to return to the club next season if the opportunity arose.
The 22-year-old joined the Alex from Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers in the January transfer window and has only missed two league games since making his debut against Barrow.
Sixteen of those 18 appearances in League Two have been starts – the most regular football the centre-back has had in his career so far.
"I've really enjoyed it. I just think it was all about coming in playing as many games as I could and putting myself on the map, giving myself a platform to kick on for whatever's next," Pond told BBC Radio Stoke.
"I knew it was going to be a massive season. Obviously, when I wasn't allowed out at the start of the year, I knew it [the plan] was to get to January and see what came about, and then Crewe came and I knew straight it was going to be going to be right for me."
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Pond began his career with Exeter City before moving to Molineux in September 2022.
After starting in the Wolves youth sides he went on to make his Premier League debut from the bench against Fulham in November 2024.
Aside from a short loan spell with Stockport two seasons ago, Pond has spent the majority of his time playing at under-21 level and says playing regularly senior football this term has been huge for his self-belief.
"It's given me massive confidence because when you're playing [under-]21s, you're always thinking about how you'd cope, so you never really know until you go out and do it," he said.
"You know you're not going to be around 21 level forever so it was to make that next step in my career – playing games in a men's environment – so that's definitely only going to benefit me for the future."
With Crewe boss Lee Bell set to rely predominately on the loan market again for next season, a return to the Mornflake Stadium for Pond is possible.
And Pond said that is something he would definitely be open to.
"I haven't really spoke about yet, so I'm not sure what the plan is but I'd love to come back if that opportunity comes up."
