Schalke sporting director Jochen Schneider has said he would like to keep Everton loanee Jonjoe Kenny beyond this season.
The Blues defender has been on loan with the German side since the summer and his performances have been impressive.
The full-back has managed one goal and two assists and has been a regular in David Wagner's side.
Schneider told German magazine Sport Bild that he is hopeful Schalke could keep Kenny for longer than one term.
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He said: "We are happy that we have him. Not only as a player but as a person of a type that suits Schalke.
"I hope we will have the chance to keep him longer."
Kenny spoke about his start to life in Germany last month and refused to rule out the potential of a longer stay in the Bundesliga.
"It's still too early for that decision. I don't want to live in the future. Whatever happens, happens. Now I'm definitely giving everything for Schalke," he told Bundesliga.com.
"Schalke is still a huge club. The club has played regularly in Europe, and has a large following. People know Schalke from the Champions League, it's a world club. Now we're concentrating on the league and want to take the next steps."
