MIDFIELDER Joe Rothwell admitted that his loan move to Saints has: "Not gone quite as I would have liked."

Rothwell made the short trip through the New Forest in search of regular first team football and to help Southampton return to the Premier League.

While the 29 year old has achieved one of those goals as Saints won the Championship playoff final against Leeds, he has not received the minutes he would have liked.

Rothwell only started four Championship games for Russell Martin's side, all 13 of his other appearances came from the bench.

Asked if he was pleased with how the loan move has panned out, he told the Daily Echo: "Promotion was the end goal for why I came here.

"Thankfully we've managed to do that. The loan move has probably not gone quite as I would have liked it to.

"I've tried to contribute in ways that I can when I could. Thankfully we managed to get the job done in the end."

Asked if a permanent move to Saints could be on the cards, Rothwell said: "I think it's very much up in the air.

Daily Echo: Joe Rothwell scored four times in 17 Championship games for SaintsJoe Rothwell scored four times in 17 Championship games for Saints (Image: Stuart Martin)

"I've obviously got to go back to Bournemouth. I will have conversations with them and see where they see me.

"We will take it from there really. I'm not thinking about that. We have just got promoted so it's time to enjoy it for the next couple of days.

"Then I will get away with the family to relax and then come back ready to go."

Like his Cherries teammate David Brooks, Rothwell admitted he has not held many conversations with Bournemouth while on loan at Saints.

"I've been the same. I've just got on with what I needed to do in terms of being a Southampton player," he explained.

"There has been no immediate conversation. As I said, the season is over now and I'm thankful it has ended in the way we wanted it to.

"Now I can get away and relax. I've heard nothing different (about training with the first team at Bournemouth).

"I will see when I go back. I would expect to. It's at the back of my mind right now because the main thing is getting away and enjoying some time with my family."

Rothwell's best moment in a Saints shirt came against Huddersfield Town in February when he cracked in a superb volley to kickstart a thrilling 5-3 comeback win.

His goal won February's goal of the month award but was snubbed for the Championship goal of the season accolade - which was won by Ipswich Town's Wes Burns.