DARREN Carter last night revealed that he would "love" to stay at Sunderland when his three-month loan spell expires in the middle of next month.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who was instrumental in Sunday's emphatic 2-0 win over Ipswich, is due to return to Birmingham on December 15 - four days after the Black Cats travel to Cardiff.

Mick McCarthy recently confirmed he has already held preliminary discussions with Blues counterpart Steve Bruce in an attempt to keep him at the Stadium of Light for the rest of the season.

Bruce is believed to be considering his options in the light of his side's recent poor run that has left them languishing just two points above the relegation zone.

While Carter accepts he will be left with no choice if he is ordered to return to St Andrew's, he would prefer to remain on Wearside in an attempt to help Sunderland gain promotion.

"Birmingham could want me back, but maybe they will allow me to stay," said the England Youth and Under-20 international. "That's out of my hands - but I would love to stay.

"I don't know which way it will go because I don't know what Steve Bruce is planning - Birmingham control the situation.

"But, as it stands at the moment, I'm here until December. I've enjoyed every minute of my time here and I'm sure something will be sorted out soon."

Carter's display against Ipswich underlined just how influential he could be as the Black Cats look to secure automatic promotion to the Premiership in the next six months.

The youngster, who looked far from comfortable in some of his early performances in a red and white shirt, started just one game in the whole of last month as McCarthy tinkered with his midfield options.

Most of those early displays came on the left flank though, and Carter insists that it is no co-incidence that his form has improved following a switch to his preferred central role.

"I enjoy getting from box to box," he said. "I can get a lot more involved in the middle.

"When you are playing out wide you have to wait for the ball to come to you whereas, in the centre, you can go looking for it and get on the ball a bit more.

"As I've grown up, I've grown accustomed to the central role and I've tended to get forward more than I've been defending.

"The game on Sunday was the first time that I've played in central midfield since my first game against Preston - I think it was the best I've played since I came to Sunderland."

Carter's switch inside has allowed Julio Arca to resume his left-wing partnership with full-back George McCartney.

The pair have developed an almost telepathic understanding in the last four years and, after playing alongside them for only the second time on Sunday, Carter is confident both could flourish at a higher level.

"I think that George and Julio are fantastic players. They would cope and do very well in the Premiership."

* McCarthy will complete the signing of Stockport County midfielder Andy Welsh, 21, this morning for an initial fee of £15,000.

* Sunderland scouts were at Darlington's Williamson Motors Stadium on Saturday running the rule over 28-year-old Lincoln midfielder Peter Gain.

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