Wanderers are hoping to begin talks to keep Bernard Mendy beyond his loan spell, despite claims by the player that he must return to France to achieve his international ambitions.

Mendy featured for the French under-21s in their 2-0 win over Malta on Friday, but he believes he will only make it to the full squad by returning to Paris St Germain once his temporary deal at the Reebok concludes at the end of the season.

Mendy's attacking displays on the right have earned him praise throughout the Premiership, and he has been superb since returning from a broken leg in January.

But, despite his admission that he has learnt a great deal from his time in Bolton, it seems his future lies in his homeland as he yearns for full international recognition.

He said: "PSG is a springboard, and I want to prove my qualities at Paris, and show what I can do.

"Also, a national selector is more attracted by Paris than Bolton.

"When I see Philippe Mexes or Djibril Cisse, I tell myself 'Why not me?'

"I am learning everything I can here (in Bolton). I still get advice from the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha and Bruno N'Gotty -- tactically I have improved."

Wanderers have not fully resigned themselves to losing the player but are concerned by the possible price tag which would accompany a young player with his quality.

A spokesman said: "We will wait until the end of the season and see what happens. It will depend upon our Premiership status but we are keen to begin talks."

Mendy has been hailed by under-21s coach Raymond Domenech, who said: "Bernard is a bomb -- he is very, very quick and as he already played as a forward, he can score, go down the flank, and he loses few balls."