Nottingham Forest loanee Jamie Ward hopes Charlton stay can be extended beyond January

Jamie Ward hopes that he will be able to stay at Charlton after his current loan deal expires in January.

The 32-year-old midfielder’s temporary move from Nottingham Forest to The Valley is due to run out midway through this campaign – but the Northern Ireland international is eager for it to be extended.

“I’d enjoy staying until the end of the season and hopefully longer,” explained Ward.

“As long as everything is right for everyone. But the most important thing is trying to get this club promoted and helping them in the next few months. At the moment I’ve got until January but hopefully it can get extended and I can help until the end of the season.

“That’s not up to me, that’s in the club’s hands. All I can do is focus on trying to do well until January. Whatever happens then is totally down to the club.

“It’s just nice to be wanted again. It’s always hard if you’re not wanted at other clubs. It’s nice to have a manager who has a bit of faith in me and is willing to play me. Long may that continue. I’m happy, I’ve settled in really well. The only thing is I’ve not got my family with me. That’s the only hard bit as my big boy is at school.”

Ward started in Charlton’s 2-0 victory over Barnsley on Saturday, providing the assist for Karlan Grant’s opening goal after just eight minutes. That was the midfielder’s first league start since mid-September, having had a couple of weeks out with injury.

‘I wouldn’t say fully fit, I’m 32,” he joked, when asked if he was back to full capacity.

“I don’t think I’ll ever feel fully fit. I’ll feel fit to a certain extent. I think the days of 90 minutes back-to-back are long gone. If I can help the team for 60-70 minutes and then Tariqe (Fosu) comes on, or the other way around, then I’m delighted to just be involved.

“The manager had a tough decision to make between me and Tariqe. I know I’ve got someone breathing down my neck when I’m playing. If I don’t play well, Tariqe can come in and do the business as well. And the other way around – I’m breathing down his neck when he’s playing. It’s good to have competition, it keeps everyone on their toes. Hopefully it keeps everyone performing and the club going in the right direction.”