Matt Paterson has set his sights on helping Stockport stay up after extending his loan from Southend.
Loan striker confident County can stay in League Two
Matt Paterson has set his sights on helping Stockport secure their Football League status after extending his loan from Southend.
The 21-year-old striker initially joined the League Two strugglers on a one-month deal, which expired after Tuesday night's 3-0 defeat at Accrington.
Southend manager Paul Sturrock told
skysports.com after his side's defeat at Morecambe on Saturday that he had no intention on bringing Paterson back into his squad.
And the Shrimpers have now agreed to let Paterson stay at Edgeley Park until the end of the season. The new agreement has a 24-hour recall clause and Paterson will not be able to play when Southend visit Stockport on 26th March.
The former Southampton trainee has scored twice in six games for the Hatters, in 2-1 wins over Bury and Oxford, and he is confident County can survive despite now being four points from safety.
Time running out
''I think we can definitely stay up," he said. "We're going to need to win quite a few games between now and the end of the season because the games are running out but if we can put in performances like we did against Bury and Oxford then we have a good chance."
Despite opting to go into a relegation battle, Paterson is relishing his time at Edgeley Park as he aims to put himself in the shop window.
He still has another year left on his Southend contract but does not feature in Sturrock's plans so will be eager to earn a summer switch.
"I'm really enjoying being here," Paterson said. " I've been here a month now and I've had a really great time. It's just good to be getting some game-time and trying to play my part in keeping this club up.
"I'm really grateful for the opportunity to show what I can do here. I know the results haven't quite been as good as what we would have hoped but there's a great bunch of lads here and they all have plenty of spirit."
