MARK O'BRIEN is open to the possibility of extending his Motherwell loan spell until the end of the season.

The defender moved to Fir Park from Derby County during the summer transfer window and has made four appearances for Stuart McCall's side so far.

His last outing was to prove a disappointing affair, however, as he was sent off during Well's League Cup loss to Hamilton seven days ago.

He didn't make McCall's matchday squad for the Premiership loss to Accies at the weekend as Motherwell's poor league form continued.

But he insists he is lapping up life in Lanarkshire as he waits to discover what the future holds come the end of his current deal in January.

"I've loved every minute of it," O'Brien said.

"I think because I'd not played in a first team for nearly a year, it just felt good to be coming up here knowing I had a chance to play first-team football.

"The league is not spoken about highly enough.

"It has surprised me a bit because the standard is a lot better than people let on.

"I've not really heard anything from Derby since I've been here.

"That's maybe because it's early doors but they have got to get on with their season and I have to get on with my career.

"If Derby want to phone up and find out how I'm doing, all well and good.

"If they are finding out from other people, all well and good. But if not I have to look out for myself and do well for Motherwell.

"If there's not much there for me at Derby I have to put it to one side and start focusing on what I want to do myself and make a career for myself.

"I've been at Derby for a long time and coming to Motherwell has made me think of more options other than just at Pride Park.

"If there is a career for me at Derby, brilliant, but if not this is my opportunity to make a name for myself elsewhere."

O'Brien may be looking to extend his stay at Fir Park but he almost never got the chance to make the move in the first place due to injury.

He overcame a knee knock to sign on the dotted line but has not had his problems to seek in the past after battling cruciate ligament and joint problems in recent years.

O'Brien said: "The aim is to put all that in the past.

"I've done that with the majority of my injuries - put them in the past and get back playing to the standards I was beforehand and get my fitness back.

"It was frustrating because obviously I've had my fair share.

"I'm still only 21 so I'm lucky in a sense that I tasted first team at a young age.

"I know what I want from football; I want to play first team week in, week out.

"I'm over my injuries and I want to progress."