Barnet head coach Martin Allen has refused to confirm or deny whether he would like to extend midfielder Conor Clifford’s loan when it expires on Saturday.

The former Chelsea midfielder joined the Bees on loan from League Two side Southend United on February 2 and has impressed since, scoring once in four outings.

Clifford started Saturday’s 3-1 win at Altrincham in the absence of Sam Togwell but when asked if he would like to extend the Dubliner’s loan stay, Allen kept his cards close to his chest.

He said: “We will have to wait and see. We will have to have a chat with Southend United and have a chat with Conor. They are the important people in this matter. Once we have done that we will have a chat with Conor and work out what we are going to do.

“He played in our winning team on Saturday in central midfield, which is his best position. He is a great lad and I think he likes being here but we need to speak to (Southend manager) Phil Brown before we go any further with that one.”

Asked if he would, hypothetically, like to renew the 23-year-old’s loan agreement, Allen replied: “That is not to be chatted about now. We have got another game to play and we will have to talk to Southend first.”

Allen has repeatedly stated the Bees are working on a smaller budget than some of their promotion rivals, Forest Green Rovers and Bristol Rovers among them, and claims his side have overachieved this season.

He said: “We have made the very best of the resources we have got available. With the players, the player-coaches, guest coaches and a young physio; we have done the very best with what we have got. I do not think anyone could deny we have punched well above our weight.

“However, I have got to say I do not ever sit back and think, ‘Oh God, if we had that one and that one and it is a shame we don’t have that one or did not get that one’. I don’t ever sit back and think like that. I am absolutely delighted with all the players and staff we have got.

“The teamwork and camaraderie amongst us all; it has been a very special eight months together.”

Allen added: “Can we carry it on until the end? Of course we can. We have a unity and team togetherness and whatever happens we will be giving it our best shot.”