KIERAN Charnock admits he could be looking for a permanent move back to the north west at the end of his loan deal with Accrington Stanley.

The 24-year-old centre back has impressed since joining Stanley on loan from League One side Peterborough and is looking for a fresh start after failing to hold down a first-team place at London Road.

Charnock was put on the transfer list by Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson - the son of Sir Alex Ferguson - in August, just days after conceding a penalty against Scunthorpe.

And the chance for the defender, who grew up in Chorley, to return to the area on a permanent basis could be too good to turn down.

The former Northwich man, who attracted interest from Stanley before joining Posh in the summer of 2007, said: “I think Peterborough know that I want to come back to the north west.

“I’ve got a year-and-a-half left on my contract but I will be looking for a club in the north west.

“Peterborough said initially just to go out on a month’s loan and see what happens.

“A month ago, when I was on the transfer list, they did say they wanted a fee for me but the way some clubs are at the moment with money issues, they might have to back down and be a bit more realistic.”

Just days before his loan switch Charnock was in the Peterborough starting line-up, keeping former England international Michael Ricketts off the scoresheet in a win at Walsall.

But that appearance only became because the regular centre backs were on international duty and Charnock was realistic that he was not likely to get many more games, even though the Posh boss insists the defender is still in his plans.

“I thought I had a decent game against two decent forwards but I was still on the transfer list,” said Charnock.

“I always knew I wouldn’t be playing the weekend after. My chances are going to be limited at Peterborough, so I’m happy to come and play some games.

“I think the main thing since I’ve been at Peterborough has been injuries. They’ve hampered me.

“I was never injury prone before I went to Peterborough but unfortunately in my first season there I picked up two bad injuries.

“I played a game against Scunthorpe this season and I was doing all right in that game but I gave away a penalty and we lost the game.

“But it just happened to be that I went on to the transfer list the week after that. I don’t think it was just about that.”