Luke Williams has explained the possibility of Quevin Castro extending his loan at Notts County is something he is looking to explore as the 21-year-old nears the end of his time at Meadow Lane.
The West Brom loanee signed for the Magpies in September until January 8, and his contributions in recent weeks have become pivotal in Notts' rise to the summit of the National League table.
While having to bide his time for his first start under the Notts boss, the Portuguese midfielder marked his debut with a stunning free-kick away to York City at the end of September.
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Despite largely featuring as a substitute, Castro has started the previous two games against Scunthorpe and Maidenhead, scoring back-to-back goals as he continues to impress.
But with just under a month until he returns to the Hawthorns, Williams explained the role recruitment will play in the decision, suggesting the decision could go either way come January.
"There is definitely a thought of extending his loan," he said.
"I think that depending on the recruitment and whether players become available and as a group we feel like they push us forward, we will then take a view of how Quevin fits in.
"But certainly he has been a fantastic asset to the squad and has given us so much, so we are very happy with Quevin and he is in a really good place for us, but we will see what happens in the future, but I wouldn't rule anything out either way."
While the arrival of John Bostock and the return of Aaron Nemane was a welcome boost to the matchday squad at the weekend, it left Williams with the difficult decision of leaving both Kairo Mitchell and Ed Francis out of the squad as competition for places heats up.
Both players have been reduced to substitute appearances this campaign, with the pair notching just five starts between them in the league, with many predicting a loan move on the horizon in the January window.
And while Williams understands the pairs frustrations of the lack of game time at Meadow Lane, he insisted that both players are doing their bit in training to merit a regular place in the matchday squad.
"It was a very difficult decision, it's the worst part of my job," explained Williams.
"Particularly when you are talking about two guys that really deserve a lot back from football because the way that they conduct themselves everyday and the qualities that they have.
"Of course we have a striker that has scored 21 in 22, we have a striker that doesn't play as a striker very often and has picked up a number of goals, and Kairo is an out and out striker looking to get minutes and at the moment it is very difficult.
"But he has been superb and we have to respect how tough that is and what he has given to the group.
"Ed has come into the team and given a great performance against Eastleigh in particular, and again he is a guy who trains everyday and takes his job very seriously and respects the job that he's got.
"He deserves a lot from the game and of course there is tough competition there, and I have to pick the team and the squad that is most suitable for each game, and that is disappointing to those guys."
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