James Wilson says he would be delighted to return to Griffin Park on loan in January - but accepts this weekend's game against Rochdale may be his last in Brentford colours, writes Yann Tear.

The central defender has been a revelation this season and impressed alongside Alan Bennett with his pace and ability on the ball.

But he is due back at Bristol City after next week's FA Cup tie at Havant & Waterlooville and his club are unlikely to sanction an appearance that would leave him cup-tied for the rest of the season.

Andy Scott will be encouraged to hear that Wilson would be more than happy to return in the New Year.

"I can't go anywhere until January, but then hopefully I'll be looking forward to coming back," he told the Gazette.

"I wouldn't go anywhere else in League Two, definitely.

"If a league One side came in for me, I'd have to look at it, but it's been so good here, I'd like to come back anyway. We'll have to see how it goes."

Wilson is grateful for his first crack at league football and believes his game has improved under the guidance of Alan Bennett - with whom he has developed a good understanding to underpin a promising start to the season for the Bees.

"I didn't really know what to expect from my time here, to be honest, but I've loved every minute of it.

"I think my all-round game has improved. I'm more aggressive. It's so different from reserve team football because that's more laid back.

"You don't know how you are going to react until you are put into that situation.

"I've made a few mistakes, but the lads have helped me so much and it's been so good for me.

"I do more talking on the pitch now. Benno's helped me out a lot with that, but then it's been superb all round with him because he's helped me out so much.

"I am proud with our goals against record even though in the last few weeks we've slipped a bit. We've been getting good results."

Wilson continued: "I'm not expecting to play for City when I go back but I'd like to think I'll have a chance of playing if there are injuries. Hopefully I'll be in and around the first team but if that doesn't happen, I'll be happy to come back.

"I've been speaking on and off with Gary Johnson while I've been down here and I've been training with them every now and again, so he knows what's going on. He asks me how I've done, what I've done well and what I need to improve on."

Scott said: "Of course it's a blow losing him but Mark Phillips showed when he came in last week that he's more than capable of coming in and doing a very good job, so I've got no worries about that."

"James has been fantastic so far. He's only 19 and it's the first time he's played league football, so it's a tremendous achievement for him.

"Hopefully we'll get him back, you never know."