Alex MacDonald keen to seal Plymouth Argyle move in January

ALEX MacDONALD is keen on a permanent move from Burnley to Argyle during the January transfer window.

MacDonald's second loan spell with the Pilgrims ends after the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last 16 tie against Oxford United at Home Park tonight.

The 22-year-old attacker has been with Argyle for the past three months, making 14 starts and two substitute appearances and scoring one goal.

Manager Carl Fletcher has admitted he wants to conclude a deal for MacDonald in January, finances permitting.

MacDonald also spent the final two months of last season on loan to the Pilgrims from Burnley when they escaped relegation from League Two.

Sean Dyche took over as Burnley boss at the end of October after Eddie Howe returned to his former club, Bournemouth.

MacDonald told Herald Sport: "As it stands at the minute, I'm going back to Burnley. I haven't spoken to the manager (Dyche) up there yet.

"Under the previous manager (Howe) we were talking in terms of me coming down permanently.

"At the minute, nothing is sorted but it's something I'm open to and something me and the manager (Fletcher) have spoken about on a number of occasions.

"It's up to the two clubs now to agree something and then give me the okay to open talks and get personal stuff sorted out."

MacDonald made his debut for Burnley in April 2008 but has made only two starts since then, as well as 15 substitute appearances.

During that time, he has had loan spells with Falkirk, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Argyle (twice).

MacDonald said: "I don't want to go back to a club if I'm not going to be playing.

"There is nothing better than playing on a Saturday. I enjoy that the most. I think maybe it is time for me to move on from Burnley but that, at the minute, is out of my hands. It's not up to me.

"I will see what happens over these next few weeks now."

Fletcher has been pleased with the contribution of MacDonald to the Argyle squad over the last three months.

He told Herald Sport: "We knew Macca from last season. He came in and slotted in seamlessly.

"He has got good quality and good enthusiasm, both on the training pitch and off it. He's one of the lads really."

Fletcher continued: "We will look to try to do something (with MacDonald) in January. Macca has said he would like to be here.

"We will try to sort something out and see if it gets cleared from upstairs. It would be a good addition to the squad."

MacDonald became a father for the first time in May when his partner, Ashley, gave birth to a daughter, Chloe, and has found it difficult to spend so much time away from his family in Lancashire.

Fletcher has tried to let MacDonald spend as much time as possible with them, and the Burnley loanee has been grateful for that support.

MacDonald added: "I have always said, since I have been down here I have enjoyed it.

"I like the place. It's a great club and I love working under the manager. It's not just the playing side of it either.

"I can go over to the offices and chat with Rick (Argyle's head of communications Rick Cowdery), and Sue (Vallins) and Jason (Turner) have been brilliant for me.

"It's a real good club, and a club where I feel at home."

Argyle will be bidding for their first win in nine matches in all competitions when they play Oxford tonight.

Should they achieve that, it would see them move into the last eight of the JPT.

MacDonald said: "I'm looking forward to it. It should be a good game, and it's one we are looking to win.

"Personally, it's the last game of my loan and, hopefully, I will go out with a good performance and a win."