West Ham youngster Sears desperate for Crystal Palace stay

Crystal Palace loanee Freddie Sears is desperate to extend his stay at Selhurst Park and has opened the door for a potential permanent move.

The West Ham teenager may have to be recalled to Upton Park as Gianfranco Zola deals with a growing injury list but Sears is determined to remain an Eagle for at least the remainder of the season.

“I've loved my time here from day one," said the 19-year-old. "I really want to stay for the rest of the season and repay the faith the manager and fans have shown in me.”

Sears admitted that he had thought about the possibility of Palace gaining promotion to the top flight and if the Hammers dropped down but says he wouldn’t know what to do if that occurred.

"All the lads in the dressing room have been asking me what I'd do if we went up and West Ham went down," he said.

"You just don't know what's going to happen. I'm not saying that I don't want to go back to West Ham but, as I say, I've loved my time here and think the club can really push on in the next couple of years."