JAMES MADDISON would be happy to stay at Aberdeen for the rest of the season.
The Norwich midfielder’s loan spell ends after the festive fixtures but the 20-year-old is open to extending it if Canaries boss Alex Neil decides it is the best course of action for his development.
“I’m enjoying every minute of being here,” Maddison said ahead of tonight’s Ladbrokes Premiership clash at Motherwell.
“I have got exactly what I wanted coming here. If I did go back in January I would go back a better player, especially with the help of the manager and the team.
“But that’s a conversation I’m sure Alex Neil and Derek McInnes will have at some point. I haven’t really thought about it because there are so many games at the minute and I’m focused on Motherwell. But I just want to play football. I love football, it’s my job, I want to play games.
“Alex Neil will decide what’s best for me. If he thinks that is going back to help the team there or staying here to play games, I will trust his judgement.
“But I have enjoyed every minute here and if that means staying for the rest of the season then I’m happy to do so.”
Maddison’s enjoyment has been tested of late with Aberdeen falling seven points behind second-placed Rangers after winning just once in four games since their Betfred Cup final defeat by Celtic.
That run has prompted some rare criticism of manager McInnes, but the Dons boss has vowed to ignore outside influences.
“I don’t put myself out there to read too much but I’m aware there’s a reaction and comment,” McInnes said. “That happens when you don’t win games. It’s important to see that’s a sideshow and what I can affect is working with the players.”
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