Bully wants loan duo until 2009

Stafford manager Steve Bull is hoping extend the loan terms of star Stoke duo Tom Thorley and Jimmy Phillips into 2009 - and wants to bring in more players to boot.

Phillips, who has just turned 19, only came to Rangers on September, on an initial one-month loan deal. His match winning goal against Droylsden at the weekend, in his third appearance, has already convinced Bull he is worth keeping for a good while longer.

Thorley, 18, has been one of the success stories of Stafford's season so far. A near ever present in the side since joining a week prior to the opening of the campaign, he already has three goals to his credit.

Bully believes his teenage twosome are making all the difference.

He said: "I want both players to stay until the end of the year. I have put the wheels in motion to extend their loan terms and hopefully we can work something out with Stoke for that to happen.

"Both players have made the right impact. Tom especially, because he has been here a bit longer, has fitted in really well and the fans have taken him to their hearts.

"Jimmy is a great utility player, has pace and, above all, the right attitude. Both players can play anywhere on the park and are willing to do so. They are great players to have in your squad.

"We are not stopping there either. We hope to get another one or two players in. If they are of the same quality as Tom and Jimmy, we will have the makings of a very good side.