Cody Drameh intends to stake a claim for a first-team place in the Premier League with Leeds United next season.
The Yorkshire Post report the former Cardiff City loanee has already met with boss Jesse Marsch to outline his ambitions to prove himself at first-team level at Elland Road next season, in a move that will likely come as a blow to any hope of bringing Drameh back to south Wales.
Drameh is understood to have enjoyed his five months in the capital, where he made 22 league appearances for the club. His stint proved so successful he was even named Cardiff's Player of the Season.
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There had previously been indications the full-back was open to a return, with boss Steve Morison making little secret of his own eagerness to bring the 20-year-old back to the club. However, Drameh's rich run of form in a blue shirt has attracted plenty of admirers, and the level of competition has sparked growing pessimism over Cardiff's chances of securing a return.
Another loan move would have likely been off the table completely had Leeds failed to secure their Premier League status, but even after confirming their place in the top flight on a dramatic final day, there's still a chance Cardiff, and indeed other admirers in the Championship, may yet miss out.
The prospect of another loan move has never been categorically ruled out, but it appears Drameh's current preference is to earn first-team minutes in the Premier League, and he may be well placed to fight his way into Marsch's first-team plans.
Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling are currently on the treatment table, while alternative full-back Jamie Shackleton is seemingly out of favour, meaning Drameh's chances of an opportunity have arguably improved, with the new season just 10 weeks away.
That said, Morison would, in an ideal world, still like him back in a City shirt next term. "Yeah, that’s common knowledge," he said when asked about wanting to sign Drameh once again.
"I don’t think anyone else in the league would mind having him. He has been top drawer. He is a great kid and he deserved all the awards he’s got. He is a top example to any of our young players, if they want to know how to get to the top and be as good as him - take a leaf out of his book.
"He credited his award to the sports psychologist coach that he has personally. He has a strict plan each match day. Coach journeys he is watching a video masterclass in 1v1s. If any of our young players want to know how to get to the top, that’s how he got to the top. He is investing in himself.
"He is already top drawer and he is trying to get to the top. He came out in Champions League football boots the other day and he said, ‘That’s where I want to get to’. He will get there. He has got that in him. If we had 11 Cody Dramehs we wouldn’t be far away."
However, it appears Drameh's preference at the moment is to have a crack at the breaking the Premier League.
