Midfielder Josh Cullen hopes to establish himself at West Ham after his year on loan at Charlton is up

Josh Cullen will return to West Ham United in the summer but says that his time on loan at Charlton has provided him with some priceless experience.

The 23-year-old has made three cameo appearances off the bench for the Hammers in the Premier League but now hopes that he’ll be able to establish himself as a first-teamer at London Stadium following his year in South London.

“I’ve always said that the main focus is to go back to West Ham and get a first-team place there,” explained the midfielder, who has made 28 League One starts in an injury-disrupted season at The Valley.

“I’ll go back. They want me back to go and do pre-season and try and make my time there successful. Get in the first-team and warrant that place. That’s what I’m looking to do and hopefully that will happen.

“I think it’s important for every player – playing games and improving, developing yourself. You only get that through playing games. To come out and play for a team with great players and who are fighting for promotion at a massive club has been brilliant for me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Hopefully I can finish my time here with promotion.

“[Lee Bowyer] has been brilliant for me. When I first signed I said that was one of the main reasons I chose to come here, to work under a manager like Bows. His record and his playing career speaks for itself. To come here and learn from a manager like that who played in a similar position to myself and had the career he had, how good a player he was, that was a key factor in coming and trying to learn from him.”