SWINDON Town are keen to bring Jack Stephens back to the County Ground on loan next season but manager Mark Cooper remains realistic about his chances to securing the defender's services.

Stephens impressed in the heart of the Robins' defence during his 10-game stay in Wiltshire but has now returned to his parent club.

Cooper would love to have the 20-year-old back in 2014/15 but ultimately the decision is down to the Saints.

"What you have to understand is that Jack is a Southampton player and they very kindly agreed to loan him to us only because of the way we played," the Swindon boss told FLIC Wiltshire.

"Southampton are not keen on loaning too many players out, they like to keep them in house and work with them but our style of play meant that we got Jack. Now, he's done that well that Southampton are going to want him to go back and have a look at him in pre-season.

"With him doing so well it might not have done us too much of a favour but Southampton are aware that we would love to take him back, and I think Jack has said that if he is going to go out on loan again then he would love to come to Swindon because of how well he did, the warmth he felt from the people and how we looked after him.

"If we could get him then it would be fantastic."