AFTER extending his loan at Chelmsford City until the end of the season, flying winger Rohdell Gordon is hoping that if he shines for the Clarets he will earn himself a new contract at Sky Bet League Two side Stevenage.
The 18-year-old has been in brilliant form in recent weeks for City, and has formed a thrilling attacking trio alongside Michael Cheek and Jaanai Gordon.
He said he had no qualms about extending his stay at Melbourne Park.
"As I started playing more over the season, the gaffer and Steve [Smith – City's assistant manager] spoke to me and asked whether I wanted to extend my loan," he said.
"I said 'of course'. I'm happy to be playing games. My target is to play in the Football League, but as a young player it's hard to force your way in.
"If I'm on loan, I'm getting games and showcasing what I can do.
"So maybe getting a season out on loan is the best thing for me at the moment."
Gordon turned out for Boro in League One during a couple of games as last season drew to a close. His contract is up this summer and he is desperate to earn another one.
"I've got to fight for another contract at Stevenage. As long as I'm playing well it'll come," said the teenager. "As a young player you've got to go through these things. It's not like you come up through the youth ranks and you're straight into the league.
"My main target this season is to get out, play games and get a good campaign under my belt. I'm doing that right now and I'm happy to be here."
Gordon struggled to hold down a first-team spot in the opening weeks of the season as he came to terms with the differences between academy football and the adult game at City.
"When I first came here, I came on for a game, a 15-minute spell, and did well. Then I started the next game and didn't do so well," he explained.
"Men's football, that's where it's cruel compared to youth football. If you're not doing the business, you're out. So when you get the chance again you have to take it, which I did.
"There was an injury and I got back in the team and played well. Off the back of that I played again and started getting more starts, and now I've become a regular."
He added: "I believe in my talent. I think I've got used to the league and knowing what my strengths are, so I can be more direct and look to add more goals to my game and assists, because stats don't lie. That's what you have to do to impress."
City boss Mark Hawkes is more than happy to keep the talented attacker.
"His first two or three weeks at the club weren't great and he got left out a couple of times. But he seemed to kick on and really get to grips with non-league football," he said.
"That's why we've kept him here for the rest of the season. He knows what's required and he's delivering at the moment."
