DORCHESTER Town centre-back Callum Rose admitted his time at the Avenue Stadium will serve as “good experience” after extending his loan deal at the club to the end of the season.

Rose, 19, has been a hit with Magpies’ fans ever since coming off the bench on his debut to score against Biggleswade Town in November.

The Plymouth Argyle loanee then impressed with a series of mature defensive displays, convincing manager Steve Thompson to lengthen the teenager’s stay at the club.

Speaking to Echosport after his side’s 1-0 win over Kings Langley, Rose said he was enjoying his time at the Avenue.

“I’m happy because the team are going up the board and I’m enjoying myself down at Dorchester because the team is getting better and better each week.

“It’s good experience for me because the league is harder than what I was playing down at Plymouth in the Peninsula League. I’ve got to work hard, play for the team and get up the leaderboard.

“As well as I’m doing well, I think when the team are doing well it lets me do a bit better because as they’re playing better in the game it makes me play better, and we are a good team at the minute” Rose said.

Thompson had been concerned that Plymouth would scupper the deal after suffering injuries to two centre-backs, but Rose admitted the club was unlikely to have taken him back as cover, citing a big step up in difficulty.

He said: “I’ve got the experience down here but you’ve got to be ready for League Two, League One and I don’t think I’m ready yet.

“The experience down here, I feel like I’m getting better and better each week. I’ve just got to develop as a player through that.”

Rose received Dorchester’s January player of the month award, his second in succession, before facing Langley, and was grateful to the club’s fans for their support.

He said: “I’m playing for the team and obviously the fans as well because the fans down here are very good. They always support the team if we lose or win, they’re with us.”