Pato refuses to rule out return

Paterson has yet to sign a new contract with Stoke, although their is thought to be little doubt over his commitment to his hometown club.

The 19-year-old was offered the deal late last season by Potters boss Tony Pulis but as of yet has not even looked over the details, preferring to take a few weeks off before returning to pre-season training.

Last week Town boss Alan Buckley once again admitted he would love to bring the young striker back to Blundell Park, after his blistering spell last season resulting in six goals from fifteen starts. The chances of Paterson returning do remain slim but Paterson’s latest comments have given Town hope.

Buckley is in the loan market for another striker with Isiah Rankin far from in the managers thoughts haven’t struggled last season and finally loaned out to Macclesfield, where he made little impact.

Paterson has suggested that he will sign his new deal at with Stoke but hinted that he wouldn’t mind a loan return if first team football isn’t available with his boyhood team.

‘I got offered the contract just before the last game of the season a couple of weeks ago but I haven’t really had a lot of time to look at it closely. I just wanted to take a couple of weeks relaxing before deciding what to do,’ he told the Stoke Sentinel.

‘If I’m going to play, I’ve always wanted to stay at Stoke and try to make a name here, but sometimes you can stay for too long if you’re not playing.

‘I think I did okay at Grimsby Town, and I don’t mind if Stoke send me out on loan again to prove myself if that’s what it takes.

‘There’s been no approach from other clubs, but then again I don’t have an agent for people to approach me through anyway.

‘I shall keep myself ticking over fitness-wise during the summer rather than lose it and have to get it back when we report for pre-season training.’