TOM Lees says he would be happy to rejoin Accrington Stanley on loan next season – but his first aim will be to force his way into the first team at Leeds United.

Lees had no first-team experience when he joined Stanley in September but the 19-year-old impressed many as he became a regular at right back, making 45 starts during the campaign.

That form was enough to earn him a new two-year deal with parent club Leeds and the defender will now return to Elland Road for pre-season and try to prove he is ready to challenge for a place at the Yorkshire club.

But Lees is realistic that Leeds’ promotion to the Championship may make it more difficult for him to break into the first team in the short term, and is open to a return to Stanley on loan to gain more experience if necessary – with boss John Coleman, pictured right, interested in a deal.

“I’m going to go back to Leeds, get my head down and get into good shape,” he said.

“Obviously that’s my main priority, trying to get in there. I’ve been there since I was a young lad, so that’s something I want to do and that’s my first target.

“Then if I’m not getting in as much as I want, then I’d have to come and try and get some football – and Accrington has done that for me.

“The object of going out on loan is to get games and that’s what I got, so I couldn’t ask for any more in terms of a loan.

“It was good to get a new contract at Leeds, and that wouldn’t have happened it I hadn’t been at Accrington playing games.

“I owe them a lot because they let me play, and playing those games probably got me the contract.

“I really enjoyed it. The fans made me feel really welcome and everyone was great.

“I think the main things I’ve learned are concentration and decision making.

“It means a lot more, the decisions you are making, compared to reserve and youth team football. You need be a lot more switched on.”