Steve Burr says he wants to keep his loan stars at the club but admits it is a decision that is not up to him.

The Blues’ upturn in form of late had helped propel them to within four points of the play-off places in the Vanarama Conference, something that seemed unthinkable at the turn of the year following dismal back-to-back defeats to Altrincham and a home loss to Braintree Town.

But the fresh blood that Burr brought in during the January transfer window has helped revitalise the Blues, with loan players such as Matty Hughes, Brad Abbott and Oliver McBurnie playing a key role in the club’s three-match winning streak in the Vanarama Conference.

Fleetwood Town loanee Hughes is set to be with the Blues on a temporary basis until the end of the season, but Abbott’s final game of his month-long loan spell from Barnsley comes this weekend at Lincoln City. The departure of Tykes manager Danny Wilson and his assistant Chris Hutchings on Thursday could make matters more complicated for the Blues boss.

And with McBurnie, on loan from Bradford City, scheduled to return to Valley Parade on February 22, Burr says it is still unclear whether he will be able to keep the latter duo for a longer period.

“We would very much like to keep Brad and Oli here as they’ve done very well for us and played their part in our good run of form recently,” said the Blues boss.

“But it is a decision that is out of my hands. If their parent clubs decide they want them back to be part of their squad then there is nothing that we can do about that.

“Clubs can have injuries and suspensions and all of a sudden you find that lads are recalled.

“But if we can keep them on here then we will but it is pretty much a case of fingers crossed for us and see if that’s something that can be sorted out.”

One player who is thriving on a loan spell away from the Blues is 19-year-old striker Tom Peers, who netted a hat-trick for Marine at Trafford on Tuesday night.

Burr was keen for Peers to get more minutes under his belt and expressed his delight at the youth team graduate taking his chance.

“Tom is a great lad and a good player finding his way in the game,” he said.

“We sat down and spoke about what we wanted him to get from his loan spell. More minutes and more goals. I’m delighted to see him doing well. He’s doing exactly what we wanted him to do.”