YOUNGSTER Ollie Bassett is hopeful that his loan spell at Dorchester Town can kick-start his international career with the Northern Ireland youth side.

The Leicestershire-born midfielder returned to the Magpies last week in search of game time, and Bassett says that he was “really happy to come back”.

He said: “I really like it here. When I was here for the first three months it was under Critts (Nick Crittenden) and Jem (Mark Jermyn) but the new gaffer (Craig Laird) has come in and we spoke a few times on the phone.

“The lads were really welcoming to me when I arrived last time, so that was a big factor in me coming back.

“It’s great, being so close to Yeovil, I can still train with them and then get something some game time on a Saturday.

“I train with Yeovil Monday to Friday during the day, and then train here Tuesday and Thursday nights when I can before playing on a Saturday.”

With Yeovil sitting comfortably in mid-table in League Two, first-team opportunities appeared limited for Bassett, who has aspirations of getting more experience playing with Northern Ireland.

He said: “It was a really good experience playing with the national team last summer. It was my first time away with them and I really enjoyed it.

“I hope I can get involved with them again, if I’m playing games week in, week out then they will hopefully consider me in their plans in the future. This season Yeovil have been doing well and the gaffer can’t change a winning team. It’s been a bit frustrating but the main thing now is just to enjoy playing football again.”