Wolves defender Michael Mancienne would be happy to extend his loan at Molineux into another season.

The 22-year-old is at the club for the entire campaign on loan from Chelsea, who won’t sell him, but has settled well. Ultimately, Mancienne wants to return to Stamford Bridge to fight for his place.

But the England under-21 international is prepared to rejoin Wolves, for what would be a third loan over as many seasons.

Asked if he would consider another loan spell next season, he said: “Definitely, if that’s what I’ve got to do, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to play football.”

Mancienne believes his experience at Molineux has accelerated his improvement as a player.

He said: “Definitely – it’s improved me 100 per cent because I’m playing regular football in the best league in the world. I feel I’ve done the right thing coming here and I’m enjoying playing week in and week out.

“That’s what I need to better myself and improve as a footballer, because I can’t sit on the bench and improve.”

After losing his place in central defence, Mancienne has enjoyed a successful return to the team as the midfield anchorman, most recently by shackling Steven Gerrard in Tuesday’s goalless draw with Liverpool.

The Chelsea player is relishing the opportunity as long as it lasts, while acknowledging the door is shut on a permanent move.

He said: “I am definitely going back to Chelsea. I want to fight for my place there. I think I have a good chance of getting in there. I’ve just got to keep playing well and I think I’ll give myself as bigger opportunity of playing in that team.

“I’m growing to like the position – I’ve come on for Chelsea in that role and played a few times there here too. I started against Manchester City in there and I like it.

“I enjoy trying to nick it in front of people, and getting right up close to someone.”

Record signing Kevin Doyle believes Mancienne is good enough to challenge for a place in Chelsea’s team, but adds that the Wolves players would welcome him back.

The striker said: “Why not? I know they’re definitely not interested in letting him go, so no doubt he’ll be there in the future. But I know he really likes it here – he gets on really well with everyone and everyone likes him, so it would be a bonus for us if he was here for next season as well as this.

“Michael a very good player – that’s the reason he’s a Chelsea player. He can play anywhere at the back or in midfield.

“He’s fit, he can run all day and he can win tackles and headers and he’s good on the ball so he’s a lucky lad – the world is his oyster.”